Brave posties are first class; HONOUR: Recognition for unsung heroes of Royal Mail.

Byline: By Catherine Lillington

HEROIC posties who pulled people to safety from a car wreck and helped douse flames at a burning block of flats have been given the stamp of approval by bosses.

Judges selected from hundreds of nominations before making the shortlist for Royal Mail's 1st Class People Awards 2009.

Their acts of bravery, community spirit and fundraising efforts have earned each of them a pounds 100 prize and the chance to go to a national awards ceremony next month.

Getting the royal seal is Bridget Green, of Handsworth Wood, who was delivering to flats in Handsworth when she smelled burning and discovered the door to an upstairs flat was smouldering.

The 53-year-old called 999 and began banging on all the doors as the block filled with smoke.

On getting no response and with the smoke worsening, Bridget grabbed an old piece of carpet, soaked it in water from a puddle outside and threw it onto the burning door.

She then continued to bang on the door and fight the flames until the fire brigade arrived. Bridget then carried on with her delivery round.

"I was concerned for the occupant because I had delivered some hospital letters and thought perhaps he might be ill, but luckily he was out."

Walsall postman Swinder Dhillon pulled three students to safety after their car was in an accident following a tyre blow-out on the motorway.

The 58-year-old, who was travelling with his family, immediately stopped to help, pulling the young women to safety and leading them away from the car, which was in danger of going up in flames. Thanks to Swinder's swift action the young women suffered only minor injuries and shock.

Kevin Johnson stopped a woman from taking her own life after she planned to drive her car into a lake in Great Barr.

The 48-year-old, from Great Barr, risked being mown down by the woman by spending more than two hours blocking her path. Police had to smash the driver's window to finally stop her.

When Kevin bumped into thewoman months later she thanked him and told her little girl Kevin was her "guardian angel".

Mnohar Soray has raised pounds 2,500 for charity running a football raffle for the last three years.

The 41-year-old, from Perry Barr, is currently planning a 5k run to raise funds for Marie Curie.

Tony Malcolm was on his round in Horden Park, Coven Heath, when he noticed the lady, who waved to him each morning, was missing. Concerned he looked through the window and saw her lying on the floor.

The 53-year-old, from Walsall, broke down the door and called emergency services. Paramedics discovered she had fallen into a life-threatening diabetic coma, but they were able to revive her and she has now made a full recovery.

CAPTION(S):

Praised: (from left) Kevin Johnson, Bridget Green, Swinder Dhillon and Tony Malcolm. Picture: Jason Skarratt JS270209POST-2