TWO police officers who arrested a man armed with a four-foot sword have been commended for their actions.

Sergeant Andrew Morgan and PC Ruth Hanney disarmed the man after he attacked another man in Garndiffaith last December.

Now the two officers have received certificates at Gwent Police B Division's commendations ceremony, held at Panteg House, Garndiffaith on Wednesday. Sgt Morgan said: "The attacker had a four foot sword that looked like something that would have been used in the Crusades.

"PC Hanney and I had to make sure we stopped him and we saw the serious injuries that he and the man attacked had received.

"It is nice to be recognised but it is part of the job and you know the risks involved when you go out on duty."

The attacker is now serving a 12-month sentence in prison. Chief executive of Monmouth county council, Elizabeth Raikes, presented certificates to 39 officers at the ceremony.

Among the others honoured were PCs Steve Clarke and Sue Roberts, commended for the arrest of a man who was caught in possession of heroin with a street value of £3,000. While on routine patrol in the Monmouth area in April they stopped a car that aroused their suspicions.

They noticed evidence of drug use in the car and realised the passenger was a suspected local drug dealer.

A later strip search of the man at the police station revealed that he was carrying a large quantity of heroin.

He was charged with the offence of possession with intent to supply and was later jailed for four years.

PC Clarke said: "PC Roberts and I were in the right place at the right time which was fortunate for us but not so lucky for him but credit should also go to those who had carried out months of intelligence work on this man."

Divisional commander Chief Superintendent Ian Johnston said: "It is an important occasion for us to recognise the work of the staff that we sometimes take for granted and that is on-going in the division every day of the year."

*PICTURED: Sergeant Andrew Morgan and PC Ruth Hanney.