A HERO cop who waded into icy waters at night to drag a suicidal woman to safety, is to receive a top life-saving award.

PC Rory Kemper raced into the sea to save the 21-year-old from drowning before giving her the kiss of life on the shore when she stopped breathing.

The drama unfolded in the early hours of November 26 last year in freezing temperatures and poor light on Southampton's Weston Shore.

Now PC Kemper's bravery has earned him one of the country's most prestigious life-saving honours - a Royal Humane Society Resuscitation Certificate.

But today the modest PC, who is based in Bitterne, shrugged off his achievement: "It's nice and certainly comes as a surprise, it wasn't something I expected.''

Recalling the night he said: "She was quite close in. I waded into the water and dragged her out. I wasn't sure whether she was breathing and began giving her mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Then she started spluttering.''

An ambulance took the woman to hospital where she made a full recovery.

PC Kemper, who was given a check-up following the ordeal, has lived in Southampton for three years after following his family to the city from his native South Africa.

He said: "I have always wanted to join the police force here and really enjoy the work.''

Now the officer is to receive the award for his achievement on the back of a recommendation from Hampshire's Chief Constable Paul Kernaghan.

Major General Christopher Tyler, secretary of the Royal Humane Society, said: "He performed a textbook resuscitation to save this woman's life. He thoroughly deserves his award.''

The Royal Humane Society was formed by a group of London doctors in 1774 and is the leading organisation responsible for honouring lifesavers and those who have been involved in heroic rescue incidents.

Earlier this year a Winchester police officer was honoured for risking his own life while off duty to save a baby from a burning car.

PC David Edwards received a bronze medal for bravery following his heroics at the scene of the collision on the B2177 Southwick Road in January 2003.

Two Southampton officers, PCs Ian Bassett and Graeme Dyson, also received resuscitation certificates after they revived a woman who had collapsed in the city centre.