A quick-thinking police officer has been awarded with a commendation after she saved the life of a woman who collapsed in the street while she was off-duty.

Detective Constable Rebecca Saunders was in Gravesend town centre when the woman suffered a medical episode and began struggling to breathe.

She collapsed when paramedics arrived to treat her but regained consciousness after DC Saunders commenced CPR.

The officer received a commendation from Chief Constable Alan Pughsley at a ceremony in which three men were also honoured for rescuing a woman from a burning car wreckage in Ashford.

DC Saunders said: "I was happy to help, anyone with those skills would do exactly the same thing. It was unexpected that my management team put me forward for the commendation but I was honoured to receive it."

The incident took place on May 1 but the ceremony took place on Tuesday at the Kent Police College in Maidstone.

Chief Constable Alan Pughsley said: "The evening was very humbling for me as Chief Constable and someone with 32-years of police service myself.

"A commendation is the highest award I can give, and they all rightly deserved it for their selfless actions. There is no better thing a person can do than save a life."