A Gwent policeman who fought a life and death battle to bring a Caldicot man back from the brink of death after he suffered a heart attack following a drug overdose is to receive one of the country’s top national life-saving honours.

PC Michael Crean has been awarded a Royal Humane Society Resuscitation Certificate for reviving the 23-year old on 19 December last year.

Today in addition to the award he is to receive PC Crean also won the personal praise of the Society's secretary, Dick Wilkinson, as he announced the award at its London headquarters.

He said that PC Crean attended premises which were a known residence of Class A drug users following a report that the man had suffered a heart attack after an overdose.

He continued: "The unconscious man was displaying no vital signs, so PC Crean began administering cardiac pulmonary resuscitation immediately. He continued this for six minutes until a medical assistance arrived. The man later recovered in hospital but the medical professionals were of the firm view that PC Crean's actions saved the man’s life.

"PC Crean showed great first aid expertise and thoroughly deserves this award."

No date has yet been fixed for presentation of the award, made on the recommendation of Gwent Police, but it is expected to take place in the near future.

The roots of the Royal Humane Society stretch back more than two centuries. Its president is Princess Alexandra and it is the premier national body for honouring bravery in the saving of human life.

It was founded in 1774 by two of the day’s eminent medical men, William Hawes and Thomas Cogan. Their primary motive was to promote techniques of resuscitation.

However, as it emerged that numerous people were prepared to put their own lives at risk to save others, the awards scheme evolved, and today a variety of awards are made depending on the bravery involved.

The Society also awards non health care professionals who perform a successful resuscitation. Since it was set up the Society has considered over 86,000 cases and made over 200,000 awards. The Society is a registered charity which receives no public funding and is dependent on voluntary donations.