POLICE staff who helped handle almost a million calls last year are up for national awards.

Avon and Somerset Police control room manager Becky Tipper is one of three shortlisted in the Leader of the Year category at the APD Control Room Awards.

And call handler Megan Brunt is a finalist in the Special Recognition for Bravery and Courage section - for her response two incidents.

In the first, she helped to save a vulnerable missing teenager who was on a motorway overbridge. She approached the teenager and built up a rapport, keeping her talking until officers and paramedics arrived and took the teenager to a place of safety.

In the second, she came across a suspected drunk-driver close to the motorway and took the car keys off him before alerting the control room. He was arrested after providing a positive breath test.

The control room managed by Ms Tipper took 248,829 999 calls and 744,829 101 calls last year.

She said: "I work with an amazing team and my nomination is dedicated to each and every one of them.

"I see every day people going above and beyond the call of duty to keep the public safe. I am extremely proud of all their efforts and feel privileged to lead such a committed team."

The winners will be announced at a ceremony in Nottingham on Thursday, March 7.