The two Leicestershire policemen who died trying to stop a van had both won awards for bravery.

Police constables Bryan Moore, 39, and Andrew Munn, 37, were killed on the A42 near Ashby-de-la-Zouch in Leicestershire on Thursday.

They were putting down a Stinger device - a mat filled with hollow spikes - to stop the van which had been pursued by police across three counties.

Mr Moore had served with the force for 21 years at Coalville, Ashby and Kegworth and had won two awards for bravery.

PC Bryan Moore had joined the police aged 18

He leaves a widow, Sarah, and three children, Christopher, 13, Jonathan, 11 and Victoria, 10.

Mr Munn had served with Leicestershire Police for six years and had been given one award for bravery.

He leaves a widow, Allison, and two children, Alexandra, nine, and Cameron, three.

Superintendent Ian Stripp said: "We are all experiencing a great sense of loss.

"Both officers were extremely popular and well known in both the force and the local community."

PC Andrew Munn had two young children

In the early hours of Thursday morning a West Midlands police patrol car tried to stop a white van in Shirley, near Solihull.

Officers then followed it out of the West Midlands, through Warwickshire and into Leicestershire.

A 38-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and causing death by dangerous driving.

The Police Complaints Authority will supervise an inquiry into the crash.