I had a feeling he was going to take the credit

Rescuer, Mandy Rostron

Ms Rostron said the police officer had done little more than blow on the boy.

And after several letters and meetings with police, Mr Messenger was forced to hand back the award.

A Kent police spokeswoman said: "The matter was resolved informally."

Brave rescue

Despite being a non-swimmer, Mr Gooden dived into the stream to retrieve the toddler after hearing screams from his neighbour Anne Benson - Jack's mother.

The 50-year-old milkman handed the boy to Ms Rostron who had been working nearby in a care home.

And it was she who gave the boy the kiss of life.

"He was not breathing," she recalled.

"He was blue and cold. The police came quite quickly and I saw Sgt Messenger standing by his car."

But Ms Rostron said that she had resuscitated the boy by the time Mr Messenger came over and "blew on him".

Martin does not want any recognition

Rescuer Martin Godden's wife, Sharon

She added that she had been "livid but not surprised" when she discovered Mr Messenger had accepted an award for "contributing significantly to saving the life of a young boy".

"I had a feeling he was going to take the credit," the 37-year-old explained.

Mr Godden's wife, Sharon, added: "Martin does not want any recognition, it just makes you laugh when you read in the paper somebody got a medal."