A TEAM that saved a construction worker from certain death on the 13th floor of a Wirral building have been commended for their bravery.

Firefighters, police and paramedics worked together to free the man from a malfunctioning lift hoist during the incident in Neston Gardens, Birkenhead, on October 27, 2012.

Crews from Birkenhead and Wallasey fire stations were involved,  helped by the search and rescue unit from Croxteth.

Supported by North West Ambulance hazard response team, they managed to take hold of  the man - who was directly over a 40-metre drop.

One of the firefighters described how he could feel the man's clothing stretching in his hands as he struggled to prevent him falling to his death.

The four crew members were watch manager Chris Parrington and firefighters Mark Holland, Janet Robinson and Stephen Ainsworth.

Two members of the ambulance hazard team and a police inspector received an area commander’s certificate of commendation at the event, held at the Leverhulme Hotel in Port Sunlight.

Two further officers received a letter of thanks from Wirral police area commander John Martin, who said: "All the emergency services personnel worked together as a team in an extremely challenging and stressful situation.

"At any time this man might have fallen from a considerable height, so police officers and their colleagues in the fire service used all their training to get the man down safely.

"They did this putting their own safety at risk and it has been a pleasure to officially commend and thank them for what they all did."

Station manager Paul Lawless was officer in charge for the rescue. He was not at the ceremony, but received a letter of thanks from chief fire officer Dan Stephens for his actions on the day.

Mr Stephens said: "Our firefighters and the search and rescue team train every week to be in the best possible shape with the best techniques and knowledge to respond quickly and safely to situations where the public really need our assistance."