Two brave people who tackled a gunman who had threatened drinkers in a Ramsgate pub have each been awarded High Sheriff Awards.

Lindell Scott and accountant Robert Zaide-Pritchard were told their courage had "restored faith in human nature" by a judge.

The pair were drinking in the Red Lion pub, in King Street, in July last year when Barry Beattie burst into the pub brandishing a pistol at customers.

He was chased out by pub customers and then followed by Ms Scott and Mr Zaide-Pritchard.

During the pursuit along Harbour Street, Ms Lindell was twice pistol-whipped after grabbing the 59-year-old thug by his collar.

Mr Zaide-Pritchard had also followed Beattie out of the pub and brought him to the ground with a rugby-tackle – despite Beattie threatening to shoot him.

Two police officers then arrived and managed to wrestle the weapon from the gunman's hand.

Judge Adele Williams said the two had acted with conspicuous bravery during the attack.

She said: "Often we have to hear tales of greed or perversions or horror, as we do so frequently, then it is then really refreshing to have our faith in human nature restored by people acting with bravery.

"Neither of these two people knew whether or not that gun had been loaded and therefore acted with conspicuous courage."

At an earlier hearing, the court heard how the incident happened after Beattie had abused customer Stephanos Ghilagaber when he arrived at the pub.

Father-of-four Beattie said: "Are you Indian? Do you speak Indian? Do you speak Arab? Are you Arab?"

And minutes later, customers heard him shout: "Where can I get a slave? Where can I buy a slave?"

Barrie Beattie was sentenced at Canterbury Crown Court

Beattie, of Newington Road, Ramsgate, was later jailed for six years after he admitted two gun charges and an assault.

Mr Zaide-Pritchard was not present for the ceremony at Canterbury Crown Court. His award was presented to his parents, Dr John Pritchard and Lady Elaine Lodge-Pritchard, by the High Sheriff of Kent Michael Bax.

After quoting Winston Churchill's "Courage is rightly esteemed the first of human qualities", he told them: "It was remarkable what these two people did that day.

"It is hard to imagine oneself having the nerve to tackle someone like that. It is great to hear of such bravery."

Ms Scott will receive her award by post.