Gordon Brown has personally thanked a Sheppey for saving a woman from drowning.

PCSO Barry Chase met the Prime Minister at a special reception at Downing Street. During the reception for community heroes, PCSO Chase had a short chat with Mr Brown.

The Queenborough and Rushenden officer was invited to the reception after he responded to an emergency call to Barton's Point on the Isle of Sheppey in September 2008.

A distressed woman had been swept out to sea after she had gone into the water in an attempt to take her own life.

Despite the rough sea conditions and very cold water temperature, PCSO Chase immediately jumped into the sea and waded out to rescue the woman, who was beginning to show signs of hypothermia.

Once he had pulled her to safety he gave her first aid treatment until paramedics arrived at the scene. She later made a full recovery.

PCSO Chase, who visited 10 Downing Street with his wife Debra, has already received an Area Commander's Award for the bravery and professionalism he showed that day.

The 55-year-old said: "It was a great honour and privilege and is something I shall always remember.

"A lot of people do question the role of PCSOs, but recognition such as this shows what a valuable job we all do, and that is why I was so pleased to attend the reception at Downing Street.

"For most people opportunities to meet the Prime Minister come along once in a lifetime and it was an experience I'll never forget."