Two police officers are to receive awards for saving a woman after she was found hanging.

On December 12 last year PC Alistair Scott and PC Shamima Begum smashed down the door of a Chigwell flat after spotting her through the letterbox.

The dramatic rescue has seen the duo hailed as heroes by the Royal Humane Society.

Society secretary Dick Wilkinson announced that they would be awarded.

He said: "These vigilant and heroic officers smashed their way in and cut this young woman down just in the nick of time.

"Paramedics were of the clear opinion that, 20 seconds more and she would have been dead. They are a credit to the force and thoroughly deserve the Resuscitation Certificates they have been awarded.

“They were the right people in the right place at the right time.”

Mr Wilkinson said that the police were given information that the young woman had attempted to hang herself and was still feeling suicidal. They got to the first floor flat, where they faced a UPV door with frosted glass.

The flat appeared to be in darkness and they knocked, without response, but PC Scott noticed some movement inside the flat.

He used his baton to hold open the letterbox while he peered through, and saw a pair of feet suspended above the floor.

Mr Wilkinson said: "He immediately broke the window whilst PC Begum reported that medical help was required. They forced their way in to find the young woman suspended by a scarf round her neck from the loft hatch.

"PC Scott took her weight, whilst PC Begum used a pocket knife to cut the ligature. The young woman had blood on her clothing but no obvious cuts and, when the ambulance arrived, she was taken to hospital, accompanied by PC Begum."

No date has yet been fixed for presentation of the award, made on the recommendation of the Metropolitan 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 healthcare professionals who perform a successful resuscitation.