Two off duty police officers are being hailed as heroes for saving a man’s life after they found him unconscious and not breathing after a night out.

PC Emily Richardson from the Roads and Transport Policing Command and PC Tom Upton of the Hammersmith and Fulham borough were on their way home from Kingston last month when they heard a “commotion” in a nearby street.

When they got there they found the man unresponsive and not breathing.

The quick-thinking pair began administering first aid.

PC Richardson completed six cycles of CPR before the man started breathing again.

But after he was placed in the recovery position and the officers were joined by on duty colleagues the man stopped breathing again.

PC Richardson began CPR again, working desperately to keep that man alive.

After another six cycles of CPR the man began breathing as paramedics arrived.

He was stabilised and rushed to an intensive trauma unit where he spent time in intensive care.

He is expected to make a full recovery.

Last week he visited Kingston police station to thank the officers who saved his life.

PC Richardson and PC Upton will be awarded a commendation at the next police award ceremony.

A spokesman for Kingston police said: “Imagine if they had gone a different way home or not heard the commotion.

“We would like to publicly thank them for what they did.”