A GWENT PC who rescued a father and son from a blazing home was honoured by Tony Blair for his bravery.

PC Scott Arthur was one of dozens of officers to pick up awards at the prestigious Police Bravery Awards, in London yesterday.

PC Arthur saved the lives of the unconscious man, Jonathan Dean, and his two-year-old boy, Connor Young, who were trapped in the house in Abertillery on April 8 last year.

He was alerted to the blaze by the landlord of the rented house, who saw smoke billowing from the property and heard a child screaming.

PC Arthur and a colleague were the first to attend the scene and, when he was unable to get through the front door, he tried to get in through an upper- storey window but was beaten back by the heat and smoke.

When the child's crying stopped, the officer made a second attempt to force the front door. He succeeded in breaking into the smoke- and flame-filled living-room, where he saw Connor and his father unconscious on the floor. Mr Dean's trousers were alight.

PC Arthur took the toddler out of the house and handed him to a fire officer who had arrived. He then returned to the father, whose legs were still engulfed in flames.

He extinguished the flames before dragging the man out of the house by his belt.

Connor was treated for smoke inhalation in hospital and made a full recovery.

Mr Dean received severe burns and also suffered from smoke inhalation. He was in intensive care for two weeks and a specialist burns unit for three and a half months.

Connor's mother, Stacey Young, personally thanked PC Arthur for saving her son's life.

PC Arthur attended Downing Street for a reception with the prime minister before attending the gala awards at The Dorchester, with Home Secretary David Blunkett and a host of celebrities.

The Police Bravery Awards ceremony will be screened tonight on Sky One at 9pm.