A policewoman who faced down a gunman in a deserted park has been praised for her bravery.

Michelle Robinson had been searching for an armed man seen fleeing a break-in when she became separated from her colleague in the dark.

She chased the youth through Goffs Park in Crawley and coolly threatened to use her baton when he pointed a gun at her.

PC Robinson said: "I was absolutely terrified when the man turned round and I saw the silhouette of a gun. It went through my mind that he might shoot me."

The suspect approached her holding the gun, which was later found to fire ball bearings. She persuaded him to drop it and then ordered him to lie on the ground where she handcuffed him.

Yesterday she was presented with a Certificate of Merit at a Forest Division awards ceremony held at Crawley police station to mark her courage.

Inspector Lance Gray, Forest division lead co-ordinator for measures to tackle violent crime, also won a Certificate of Merit.

Initiatives included the successful Operation Marble which uses a high profile, low tolerance approach on busy nights in Horsham and Crawley.

PC David Colella received divisional congratulations for his work as family liaison officer, helping the girlfriend and family of a depressed 30-year-old who went missing and was eventually found dead..

His award says: "He dealt with all parties with care and sensitivity and his dedication to this task is to be commended."

Nine other officers received divisional congratulations.

They were special constables Angela Durrant and Sarah Yarnall; PCs Lee Barge, Victoria Bouck-Standon, Trevor Cox and Gordon Lambert; Det Sgt Derek Cuff; and Det Cons Stephen Skerrett and Stephen Pincott.