THE policeman at the centre of a siege in Fareham has spoken for the first time of his three-hour ordeal at the hands of a knifeman.

PC Ben Bennett, 53, described the experience as frightening and harrowing, but ultimately life-changing.

His story was one of many told at a special ceremony that saw brave police officers and members of the public rewarded for their heroics.

Along with PC Bennett, accolades also went to two young men who saved a neighbour from his blazing home and two police officers who talked a suicidal man out of jumping from the top of a multi-storey car park.

The event, hosted by Solent East commander Supt Graham Haycock and celebrity TV gardening expert Alan Titchmarsh honoured police officers, support staff and members of the public for bravery and work beyond the call of duty.

Fareham's PC Ben Bennett was singled out for praise for how he dealt with being a hostage during a three-hour armed siege in Gosport Road in October.

He negotiated with the man, Christopher Diamond, before jumping out of a first-floor window to freedom.

The married father of two, who has been a Hampshire police officer for 30 years, told the Daily Echo: "It's a good thing to be presentedwith an award, but at the time it was very frightening.

"It was harrowing but rewarding at the same time.

"I was glad I was able to talk to the chap and keep him fairly calm.

"The reaction of my colleagues was brilliant, but I didn't like jumping out of that window.

"I definitely look at life differently now."

Supt Haycock added: "These are people who have done things that are truly out of the ordinary. They have been recommended from a cast of thousands for the special work they have done."

Diamond, 44, is due to be sentenced at Portsmouth Crown Court on Friday after admitting false imprisonment, threats to kill, unlawful violence and burglary with intent.

The Rainbow Riders team of Insp Simon Wrigglesworth, PC Nick Morgan, Insp Paul Rowsell and PC Alan Hockley, who cycled across America in a bid to raise £25,000 to help children with cerebral palsy, were presented with certificates.

For more pictures and stories of courage and bravery at the awards ceremony - see pages 6 & 7 of the Fareham edition in today's Daily Echo.