Politicians, celebrities and sports stars have paid tribute to the nation's unsung heroes.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown and more than 100 celebrities attended the Daily Mirror's Pride Of Britain Awards at the London Television Centre.

Among those receiving awards were former Manchester United goalkeeper Harry Gregg, 76, who helped pull passengers from a burning plane during the 1958 Munich air crash.

The Special Recognition award was the first time his efforts have been formally recognised with an award.

Other winners included six-year-old Jaden Ashton, who rang 999 and tended to his mother Brina when she fell into a diabetic coma, and Carl Duval, 16, who jumped on to train tracks to save a young woman who had fallen off the platform.

Sir Michael Caine presented the award to Lance Corporal Matthew Croucher, 24, from Solihull, who used his backpack to cover lethal shrapnel fragments from a blast in Afghanistan, saving his three comrades, and for which he will receive the George Cross.

Richard Taylor, 59, the father of murdered 10-year-old Damilola Taylor, received an award from Brooke Kinsella, the sister of Ben Kinsella, who was killed in London this year.

The British Olympic team received a Special Recognition prize for their successes in the Beijing Olympics and the Paralympic Games.

The Prince of Wales was also appearing via videolink to present the Prince's Trust Young Achiever award to Ricky McCalla, a youth mentor from Bromley.

The Prime Minister said: "The Pride of Britain Awards has become a highlight of our national calendar.

"They're enduring success illustrates that we as a country take the greatest pride in those who show the courage to go beyond the call of duty, the dedication to support and tend for loved ones and families, and the inspiration to transform communities."

The awards will be shown at 8pm on Wednesday on ITV1.

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