TWO Weymouth police officers will be honoured at the Police Bravery Awards.

Inspector Pete Meteau and Sergeant Chris Fryer, a dog handler, have been nominated for the annual event, which recognises the unsung heroes of the service.

They will be honoured at an awards ceremony in London in July, when the national winner will be decided.

Today's announcement of the nominees took place at the Police Federation Conference held at the Bournemouth International Centre.

All 43 forces are invited to select their top candidates who are nominated by fellow officers from their local Police Federation, for courageously going above and beyond the call of duty.

It is the second time the Weymouth pair's brave actions in rescuing a drowning woman from rough seas have been noted.

Last November Insp Meteau and Sgt Fryer received Royal Humane Society Awards in recognition of their actions one stormy October night in 2006.

It followed a call to Dorset Police just after midnight that a woman was struggling to keep afloat 100 metres off Weymouth Beach.

Insp Meteau, the Section Commander at Weymouth, was first on the scene and leapt into the cold water, took hold of the struggling woman and began to tow her back towards the shore.

As this was happening then Constable Chris Fryer attended the scene and also leapt to assistance to bring her safely back to the shore.

Once out of the water the 34-year-old woman from Swindon was treated by paramedics for hypothermia and taken to Dorset County Hospital where she made a full recovery.

Chairman of Dorset Police Federation Clive Chamberlain said they undoubtedly saved her life.

Insp Meteau said: "Conditions were rough but the woman was in trouble and I was just doing my job."

Sgt Fryer, 44, said: "When I arrived Pete was already swimming out.

"It was a dark and stormy night, but I didn't hesitate. We took the woman's arms and brought her back to shore.

"Pete and I are both good swimmers so the woman couldn't have been in better hands.

"Afterwards I got changed and went back on duty."

He added: "It was a difficult rescue but I'm glad I did it. I would do it again."