HANDYMAN Dean Leonard more than lived up to his job description when he rescued a trapped lorry driver following a smash on the M5.

Practically minded Dean, 49, who works at the police depot in Almondsbury, leapt into action after witnessing the crash near Cribbs Causeway, saving the driver and preventing "colossal" damage by controlling the situation before police arrived.

Now the Avon and Somerset police employee has had his gallantry recognised with the award of a Chief Constable's Commendation for Bravery.

The incident occurred on April 16 this year when a lorry travelling north collided with the central barrier and hit two lampposts, sending them toppling onto the southbound carriageway.

Dean, from Bradley Stoke, was driving a police vehicle on the motorway when he saw the lampposts toppling.

"They came crashing down just in front of me and I had to swerve to avoid them," said Dean.

"I knew I had to act quickly so I stopped and switched on my emergency lights to make oncoming traffic aware of the obstruction and placed cones out on the carriageway to section it off and to prevent further collisions."

Dean then leapt over the central barrier and pulled the lorry driver out of his cab to safety. Other units then arrived at the scene.

Superintendent Andy Pullan said: "Dean displayed commitment, tenacity and resilience beyond that normally expected in his role."

The lorry driver later pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and was fined £400 with six licence penalty points.