Teenagers who saved a woman from a violent attack while adults stood by have won a Respect award from the Government.The friends, from Bridgend, beat 700 other groups from across the UK to the accolade, which comes with a cheque for £1,000 to spend on improving their community.

GCSE pupils Jessica Littleford, Stacey Hughes and Hannah Jones and friends Nathan John and Jonathan Smith, who are in college, and Grant Gronow, who works in Ford's Bridgend engine plant, have already received Good Citizenship certificates from South Wales Police Chief Constable Barbara Wilding.

They were hailed as heroes after they chased a man who attacked a woman in the street near their homes in Cefn Glas, in January last year.

Today, Bridgend MP  Madeleine Moon , who nominated them for the Respect award, which recognises those who tackle anti-social behaviour, said: 'I am immensely proud of this young group who have set an example to adults and fellow pupils and shown that not all young people are anti-social.'

The friends, who were all pupils at Bryntirion Comprehensive in Bridgend at the time, sprang into action when they witnessed the attack while on their way to a youth club at around 8pm.

Speaking after they were awarded their Good Citizenship certificates in November, would-be mechanic Hannah Jones, 15, said they saw a man 'grab and shake' a woman outside a house.

'He put his hands around her neck and we all shouted at him to stop,' she said.

When the attacker refused to let go, the group ran towards him with the intention of dragging him off.

The attacker bolted and was chased by Grant, who saw him hide his mobile phone in a hedge.

He was joined by Nathan and Jonathan and the girls who watched the man until the police arrived, enabling them to arrest him straight away.

Officers said adults who also saw the attack chose to do nothing and walked in the opposite direction.

It was later discovered the attacker was a prolific offender with a history of violent assaults against women and police officers.