Paramedics are employed to save lives but rarely are they officially recognised for their bravery and relentless hard work.

But this week, scores of ambulance staff were commended for saving lives.

The Great Western Ambulance Service (GWAS) awards ceremony honoured men and women who, on a daily basis, achieve remarkable feats.

Among those given the Chief Officer Commendation were frontline paramedics and telephone operators.

Special commendations were also given to members of the public, whose quick thinking and prompt action helped crews to deliver life saving treatment.

GWAS chief officer Anthony Marsh said: "Our staff already do an outstanding job in attending patients and delivering excellent care.

"These Chief Officer Commendations are being awarded to members of my staff in recognition of work above and beyond the call of duty.

"They are people who have made a real difference to patients' lives.

"I am particularly pleased to welcome several patients to these awards.

Their presence is a special reminder of the live-saving treatment ambulance staff deliver 24 hours a day, every day, for the people of Avon, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire."

Winners:

Ian Parsons and Paul Greenaway: Commended for rescuing a man who was about to jump from a hospital building. After taking a patient to Salisbury Hospital, Mr Parsons saw a young man climb over a first floor railing outside Accident and Emergency. The man started to fall but Mr Parsons managed to grab him before he did so. Mr Greenaway saw what was happening and ran over and held on to the young man as well. Without their quick-thinking he would have fallen.

Ross Culligan, 29, from Bristol, and Mark Harwood, 31, from Bath: Went to a patient who had been stabbed in the chest at a flat in Bath on January 14. Emergency care practitioner Rob Harrison arrived and gave the victim blood but his condition worsened and the paramedics decided to take the patient by car as an ambulance was still on the way. The men carried the victim down the stairs to the car and got him to hospital where his life was saved.

Heather Hayter, 40, from Yate, South Gloucestershire, and Olivia Bond, 29, from Bristol: The pair were the first to arrive on the scene of a car crash on the Avon Ring Road, Bristol. While dealing with the casualty, a BMW veered towards them, the driver lost control, hit the central reservation and crashed into the first car, trapping a member of the public before coming to rest against the side of the ambulance. Ms Bond pulled Ms Hayter out of the way in the nick of time.

Richard Miller: Wiltshire Air Ambulance's clinical team leader, was nominated by his colleagues who felt he should be recognised for his professionalism, dedication, and tenacity. "It is so rewarding to be able to save someone's life and then meet them a few months later, knowing that without the air ambulance they wouldn't be alive," said Mr Miller.

Technician Vicky Scammell, 32, and paramedic Alex Jamieson, 34, both from Bristol: Honoured twice for saving the lives of two people on the same day. After saving Kenneth White, who had collapsed at his home in Stanton Drew, North Somerset, the duo were called to help pensioner Bill Hardingham who had suffered a heart attack in the street in Keynsham. Mr Hardingham, was collecting the morning papers when he collapsed outside the home of student nurse Claire Thomas. Ms Thomas, 43, began treating the 69-year-old, who had suffered a heart attack, she was then helped by the ambulance crew. Mr Hardingham and his wife Pearl were at the awards to see the whole team, including Lesley Puckley, Pete Sadler and Dan Merino, receive awards.

Paramedic Sarah Hodierne, 29, from South Gloucestershire: Received a commendation for going to the aid of a car driver who had crashed and been thrown through the window of the new House of Fraser store at Cabot Circus, Bristol. Ms Hodierne was picking up her partner from a Christmas party when a car overtook her at great speed on the M32. A moment later the car crashed. Ms Hodierne stopped her car and ran to help the driver who was very seriously injured. She said: "I went into work mode and I did what I could to help the victim."

Jenny Riley: A 23-year-old call handler received an award after she helped Cordelia Nolan, 25, whose baby, Emrys, had stopped breathing. With guidance from Ms Riley over the phone, Ms Nolan kept him alive, even though he stopped breathing four times.

Shop assistant Val Laing, 47, from Thornbury: Received an award for saving the life of a pensioner who had a heart attack while shopping in Cribbs Causeway, Bristol. Ms Laing, a first-aider, was working a normal shift in Marks and Spencer when a 75-year-old man collapsed in the food hall. She immediately began chest compressions and gave him mouth-to-mouth resuscitation until he started to breath. The patient has since made a full recovery.

Call handler Natalie Davies: Commended for helping an anxious father deliver his baby on January 8. From the details she was given, Ms Davies could tell that time was of the essence and started to provide step by step advice. Despite some language difficulties, she persisted and supported the father while his wife gave birth shortly before an ambulance crew arrived.

Paramedic Phil Organ: A posthumous award was given to honour highly respected paramedic Mr Organ who died recently. His wife Jane collected the award. He always put patients first and one of his great strengths was his calm and professional approach. He passed on his skills to young paramedics and turned down promotion so he could carry on doing the job he loved. Mrs Organ said: "Phil would be very very proud to be recognised in this way."