A MANSFIELD street sweeper has been shortlisted for a bravery award after he put out a dangerous fire.

Barry Snowdon, who works for Mansfield District Council, has been nominated in the national Council Worker of the Year Awards.

It comes after he was working in Warsop last summer and saw a truck containing high-pressure gas bottles on fire near a petrol station in Sherwood Street.

Mr Snowdon used a fire extinguisher from the petrol station forecourt to fight the flames and got burnt on his arms.

At the time, Mr Snowdon said: "I could see the lorry was in danger of exploding and just did what anyone would have done – my instincts were to get the fire out as quickly as possible."

He also chased and caught a handbag thief in March 2007 and was awarded a Local Hero award in the Evening Post and Radio Nottingham Reach Out Awards.

Martyn Thurman, head of operations at Mansfield District Council, said: "Barry really is an asset to or district. Not only does he keep the streets of Warsop clean, he also helps keep them safe.

"In putting out the fire on the highways tanker last summer, he gave no thought to his personal safety and averted a catastrophe which could have cost lives."

To vote for Mr Snowdon text LGATV 9 Barry S to 80039.

All text messages are charged at the standard network rate.

For more information or to vote online go to www.mansfield.gov.uk/backbarry. Voting ends on July 2.