A lifesaving police sergeant was only days into his new job when he leaped into the Thames to rescue a drowning man, he told the Free Press after receiving an award for his bravery.

Sgt Robin Hughes chose to return to frontline community policing after eight years as a detective and last June received a call that a vulnerable man in his 30s had jumped from Marlow Bridge.

With help from colleague PC Darren King, the Marlow-based policeman jumped into the fast flowing river and pulled the stricken man before he was swept away.

The pair were given Commander’s commendation at a special ceremony at High Wycombe Cricket Club last month which honoured officers and members of the public who had gone above and beyond the call of duty.

Sgt Hughes, 51, who has been in the force for 15 years, said he gave no thought to risking his life to save a member of the public.

He said: "Your instinct just kicks in and takes over. He was clearly drowning and if I hadn’t gone in when I did he would have drowned.

"This is what we join the force for. We’re well drilled in safety and you make sure you take off anything heavy like boots and your stab vest and obviously I had the line attached.

"I would never ask someone else to do what I was not willing to do myself, and I was nearer so I jumped in.

"I first saw him from the bridge and ran to the Compleat Angler. He had already gone over the weir and managed to reach him before he was lost.

"I was on patrol and luckily only in the High Street, if has been in Bourne End I wouldn’t have got there in time. It’s the sort of thing that only happens once in your career."

The pair's commanding officer, Inspector Scott Messenger, paid tribute to their bravery as he commended their actions to Wycombe Police chief Supt. Ed Mclean.

At the ceremony, he said: "Sir, I would ask you to commend Sgt Robin Hughes and PC Darren King for courage and professionalism show when saving a drowning man from the River Thames in Marlow.

"Their contribution is an outstanding example of supporting the code of ethics principles of integrity, leadership and selflessness."

PC King had also been on patrol in Marlow that day and responded to the emergency call from shocked residents.

After preparing the buoyancy aid and throwing the rope, and helped drag Sgt Hughes and the struggling man back to shore.

PC King then placed him in the recovery position until an ambulance rushed him to Wexham Park Hospital, where he subsequently made a full recovery.