A WEST Lancashire man who was stabbed as he tried to stop two armed men robbing a garage has been awarded one of the country’s highest honours for bravery.

Anthony Crompton, 22, has received the Queen’s Gallantry Medal for his actions during the incident in October, 2005.

The two masked men had stormed into Fishwick’s Garage on Ormskirk Road in Skelmersdale, terrifying the two female assistants.

Mr Crompton saw the attack through the window. He rushed in and ran at one of the men, who was wielding a knife, pulling him off one of the women.

A fight broke out and the second man, who had helped himself to money stored under the counter, ran to his accomplice’s aid, striking Mr Crompton on the head with a handgun.

Mr Crompton continued to fight the two men, despite being stabbed several times, until they ran off.

He then chased after the pair, stopping only when he realised he was badly injured.

The Medal is the latest in a string of accolades for Mr Crompton, of Cornbrook, Skelmersdale.

West Lancashire District Council created a bravery award in his honour and he received a Daily Mirror Pride of Britain award.

The attackers, Imran Mahmood, 18, of Taunton Avenue, Leigh, and Rehan Mahmood, of Chequers Street, Wigan, were jailed for six years and eight months.

Imran Mahmood's girlfriend, Marian Zahedi, 19, of Ormskirk Road, Upholland, who was working in the garage when the robbery took place, also received a two-year sentence for robbery and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Mr Crompton said at the time: “There was a woman who needed help. You have to act – you don't think what could happen.”

Last night his father Thomas said: “We’re very proud of him.

“We’ve four grown-up lads and I would expect any of them to do the same – it’s how they were brought up.”

Angus Campbell, who challenged a terror suspect during the attempted bombings on the London Underground, was also awarded the Queen’s Gallantry Medal.

vickyanderson