THREE Kent police officers have won awards for their efforts in trying to save the life of a man dying from multiple stab wounds.

PCs Andrew Ferguson, Paul Bassett and Mick Kavanagh were called to a house in Kingsley Road, Maidstone, on July 15 last year.

They arrived to find 66-year-old Richard Cromarty suffering from multiple stab wounds.

The officers worked with paramedics in an unsuccessful attempt to save Mr Cromarty's life.

They administered mouth to mouth resuscitation, applied heart compression techniques and attempted to stem the flow of blood.

Iraqi national Sherzad Muhamed, 28, was later charged with Mr Cromarty's murder and is currently in custody awaiting trial at Maidstone Crown Court.

The three were among 32 Maidstone and Malling police officers and civilian police staff presented with Certificates of Merit by the Mayor of Maidstone, Cllr Morel d'Souza in a ceremony held at the Kent Police Training College, Sutton Road, Maidstone,

The certificates were awarded in recognition of their excellent police teamwork, commitment, professionalism and courage.

Among the others who received awards were youth crime reduction officers PCs Martin Carter and Paul Richardson.

The two officers were recognised for their work in a range of youth intervention strategies, including the very popular and successful SNAP (Say No And Phone) discos staged over the past few years at Maidstone Leisure Centre, Mote Park, Maidstone and Larkfield Leisure centre, New Hythe Lane, Larkfield.