Three St Albans men who stopped a suicidal man hurling himself to his death from a railway bridge have received top national life-saving honours.

In a scene described as resembling something out of an action movie they managed to grab the man’s legs just as he was disappearing head first over a parapet which led to a ten metre drop on to an electrified rail line.

Now the three, Michael Brand, 26, of Elm Drive, Daniel Smallcorn, 28, of Ashley Road, and James Stannard, 33, of Beechwood Avenue, have been awarded Royal Humane Society testimonials on parchment at the Chief Constable's Award Ceremony.

The three rescuers were in a car and first spotted the man sitting in the middle of the road on a suitcase in the early hours of Friday, September 5, 2014.

They stopped and James Stannard asked him what he was doing. He said he wanted to be left alone and wanted to die.

They thought at this stage it was some sort of prank but Mr Stannard told the man they would be back shortly and if he was still there they would move him.

When they returned he was still there and Mr Smallcorn positioned the car to protect the man while Mr Stannard talked to him for about 30 minutes. He eventually persuaded him to go to the pavement.

Once he was convinced the man was no longer a danger to himself he turned to go to the car.

But as he did so Mr Brand shouted a warning and he turned to see the man using a road name sign as a stepping stone to launch himself over the bridge parapet.

He rushed forward and managed to grab the man’s leg just as he was about to disappear completely over the wall.

He was joined by Mr Brand who grabbed the other leg and between hem they managed to haul him back to the safety of the pavement.

Police were called and then the three of them held the man until police arrived to prevent him harming himself.

The three men were presented their awards at a cermony held last week.

Constable Paul Coxall, who is based at police headquarters in Welwyn and lives in St Albans, was also awarded for 20 years service.