A police sergeant from Thornbury has praised his colleagues after they were honoured nationally for dealing with a man wielding a hammer in Bristol.

Officer Sean Underwood took to Twitter to reveal his 'pride' that his police colleagues had been recognised at the Police Bravery Awards in London on Thursday night.

PCs Clare Davies, Yasmin Kingdon, Benjamin Schofield and Emma Sipson were recognised for responding to reports of a man described as swinging a hammer wildly in the air on a Bristol Street.

Unknown to them, the man had already hit a member of the public on the head with the hammer and they were worried that he might attack people leaving nearby pubs.

The man wielding the hammer became angry and after officers tried to de-escalate the situation, a taser and PAVA spray was used.

Together they brought the man down and he was detained safely.

The four were honoured at the awards for showing exceptional bravery.

Officer Underwood posted on Twitter: "PROUD of my team.

"A night I'll never, in my career, forget.

"Well done to all tonight, true heroes."