Two West Sussex traffic wardens who helped rescue occupants of a riverboat from rising floodwaters have been rewarded by Sussex Police.

Tyson Pickett, 32 and Lin Marshall, 54, were given a certificate for quick-thinking when they saw the couple in danger in Arundel during last year's floods.

Despite the fact they did not want to leave the boat, the wardens persuaded them off and helped co-ordinate a rescue by the coastguard helicopter.

Another certificate was given to PC Karen Colban ,who arrived at flats in Littlehampton on October 8 with PC Paul Coles and found heavy smoke coming out of a ground-floor flat.

She was commended for her courage after she got the occupant out and put out a small fire.

PCs James Bland and Phil Lankshear were presented with two certificates for enthusiasm and communication skills.

The first was for stop checks on May 12 which led to the arrests of car crime suspects and the recovery of stolen property.

Their second was for talking down a suicidal man on top of a multi-storey car park in Worthing on August 2.

Detective Constables Stuart Tait-Bower and Kim Clinch gained certificates for displaying high ethical standards and excellent communication skills in dealing with an alleged rape.

PCs Matthew Grieves and Jason Vickers were given certificates for professionalism after they attended a burglary in Rustington.

John Walker, a civilian from Worthing, was given a certificate for public spirited action after he tipped police off about vehicles being stolen, leading to arrests.

Sergeant Mike Fitzgerald and PCs Jason Vickers, Karen Colbran, Lindsey Van Buiten, Chris Carter and Simon Renouf were rewarded for professionalism, courage and teamwork over an incident involving a woman and a knife.

Finally PC Eric Bradley gained a certificate for determination for helping residents of Lancing's Larkfield Close by securing enough evidence to get two antisocial behaviour orders.

Councillor Tony Squires, Mayor of Littlehampton, presented the awards at Worthing's Kingsway Hotel on Wednesday.