A couple who saved a man and woman from a burning car have been honoured for their bravery.

John Moore and Theresa Cosgrove, both 24, of Home Oak Park, Watford, have been awarded the Royal Humane Society bronze medals for their life-saving efforts.

The fire started after a motorcycle crashed into a car pulling out of a drive in Watling Street, Elstree on the evening of June 10, 2014.

READ MORE: Watford hero who pulled two people away from burning vehicles released from hospital

The bike’s fuel tank caught burst spraying petrol inside the open-top car which immediately caught fire, as the motorcyclist was thrown inside the vehicle.

The woman from Radlett survived with bad burns, the man riding the bike later named as 27-year-old Joe Paul from St Albans.

READ MORE: Family pay tribute to 'exuberant' motorcyclist, Joe Paul, killed in Radlett crash

Ms Cosgrove stopped her car as she and Mr Moore immediately went to help the victims who were unable to get out of the vehicle.

They first pulled the man out of the car, and Ms Cosgrove beat out the flames on his legs with her bare hands.

The pair went back to the vehicle to save the woman who was trapped in her seat.

Mr Moore got into the footwell of the car and tried pulling the woman out of the vehicle before releasing her seat belt and dragging her to safety while sustaining severe burns.

Both he and Ms Cosgrove then had to drag the biker further away as the vehicle’s tyres began to explode.

READ MORE: 'I'm very proud of him' - hero released from hospital after Watling Street crash

Secretary of the Royal Humane Society Dick Wilkinson said: “They both showed incredible bravery in what they did. This is reflected in the medals they are to receive which are almost the highest awards we make. Very few are issued but they are richly deserved when they are.

“Going near a blazing vehicle is one of the most dangerous things imaginable. But they didn’t hesitate even though they must have been aware that the vehicle could have exploded at any moment. Their one thought was to get the two people in it to safety which they did.

“Sadly the motor cyclist died but they did their very best to save him and did save the woman who, if they had not acted as they did would certainly have been burned to death.”

No date has yet been fixed for presentation of the awards which have been made following a recommendation from Hertfordshire Police.