Three police officers helped save a woman's life after she fell from a window 150ft above the ground in Ashton-under-Lyne.

At around 8am on Saturday, 3 March 2007, officers were called to a high-rise flat at Cavendish Mill, Cavendish Street, in response to a concern for welfare.

The officers, PCs Rob Greening, Mark Laird and Alison Henderson - response officers based at Ashton-under-Lyne - went to the flat and found three women arguing.

Two of the woman then shut themselves in a bedroom while the third stayed in the living room.

The officers then heard a scream and went into the back room and saw the window open and one of the women leaning out of it.

They saw the other woman, aged 41, had climbed onto a narrow ledge and was threatening to jump. The officers tried to reason with her but she said she wanted to jump.

She then tried to jump, but slipped and fell, before clinging on to the window ledge by her fingers.

She then lost her grip and started to fall, but PC Greening stretched out his arm and caught her.

PCs Laird and Henderson then grabbed hold of her arms, with her legs dangling below.

The officers tried to pull the woman back into the room, but found it too difficult.

One of the officers managed to radio for help and officers from the Tactical Aid Unit arrived.

The new officers grabbed the response officers round the waist and pulled them into the room.

The woman was then taken to Tameside Hospital for a check-up and later released.

Inspector Paul Cross of Tameside Police said: "The heroic actions of these three officers saved this woman's life.

"They were responding to a domestic-type situation and could not have expected events to spiral out of control like they did.

"Their quick thinking and fast reflexes enabled them to grab hold of the woman's hands just as she appeared to have fallen to her death.

"I must also praise the three officers from the TAU for their swift and professional response.

"I cannot praise their dedication enough."