A PEEBLES policeman who helped rescue a couple trapped in their home by 12ft snowdrifts, has received a Bravery Award from Police Scotland.

Sergeant David Rourke was on hand to evacuate Myra and Roger Lukehurst from West Linton – as the Beast From the East hit the Borders earlier this year.

And today he was recognised by the force at a special Bravery Awards ceremony at Tulliallan in Fife.

The 32-year-old told us: "I am very pleased to have been given this award, it has been a great day out.

"I had never seen anything like it before, in terms of the bad weather.

"It hit home when I stepped into the garden, but realised I was actually standing on the roof of the house.

"Those few weeks were very bad. I think there was a point where every road into the Borders was closed."

As previously reported, Mr and Mrs Lukehurst, aged 70 and 71, were without heating after their firewood ran out and their coal shed became buried under snow.

A number of concerned locals tried but failed to fight their way towards the house to offer help.

However Sgt Rourke, who has been an officer for nine years, managed to battle his way through the snow and identify a route for the Tweed Valley Mountain Rescue team to guide the couple and their two dogs to safety.

Sgt Rourke added: "It was a very big challenge for everyone involved.

"So many teams put in a lot of effort and deserve credit for their work during the bad weather in the Borders. It wasn't just me."