A POSTMAN who saved a woman who fell into the Thames has been rewarded.

Kevin Butcher was cycling in Erith last October when he saw the woman and pulled her from the water.

The 46-year-old Bexleyheath postman's bravery qualified him for the Royal Mail's 1st Class People Award.

Mr Butcher, of Erith Road, Belvedere, said: "I don't feel I did anything out of the ordinary. Anyone would have done the same in that situation."

The awards have three categories: bravery, fundraising and community work.

Mr Butcher won £100 for being shortlisted and is due to find out this week whether he will go through to the national final at the end of the month.

The national winner of the competion scoops £1,000.

Mr Butcher has been a postman for 20 years.

In the past he has caught a thief running from a shop, assisted an elderly women locked out of her home and helped a bride-to-be who fainted after crash dieting for her big day.