A SUICIDAL alcoholic who tried to set fire to himself in front of police was saved by an officer, a court heard.

Darren Bannister, 43, had been armed with an open bottle of "barbecue lighting fluid" and a lighter after a row with his teenage son had pushed him over the edge.

PC Richard Pollard, who was almost sprayed with the fluid by the defendant, had bravely grabbed the bottle and thrown it in a garden.

Bannister had ended up being tasered after trying to ignite his clothing which he had earlier doused in the fluid, Burnley Crown Court was told.

Bannister was given a two year jail term, whilst the officer was praised by a judge who said he was a credit to the police force.

Judge Beverley Lunt told Bannister, now said to be grateful to PC Pollard: "He probably saved your life, never mind avert an incident."

Bannister, of no fixed address, had earlier admitted affray last August.

Martin Hackett, prosecuting, said police were called to a house in Tuscan Avenue, Burnley, where an argument was taking place.

The defendant was standing in the doorway, appeared drunk and was unsteady on his feet.

He was holding a clear plastic bottle, with barbecue lighter fuel written on it, and had a lighter in his other hand.

The hearing was told the defendant had a record going back to 1981 which included threatening behaviour and assault.

Huw Edwards, for Bannister, said he was a "very troubled man." He had a history of anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts and at the time had been drinking about 10 cans of super strength lager a day.

Mr Edwards said Bannister had decided to end his life in the most horrific of ways, but the police officers wouldn't let him."

The barrister added: "He wanted only to kill himself."