The Helston woman lauded after risking her life to confront cleaver wielding terrorists after the muder of a soldier in Woolwich has been honoured for her bravery by the Cornish Gorsedh.

Ingrid Loyau-Kennett, from Bulwark Road in Helston, received a Special Certificate of Exceptional Endeavour in recognition of her actions in the aftermath of the death of soldier Drummer Lee Rigby in Woolwich, in May. Ingrid kept an armed man talking until police arrived.

In a citation from the Gorsedh Kernow Council, it was stated: “‘Heroine’ is too simplistic a term these days when ‘megastar’ and ‘celebrity’ appear in a thesaurus – certainly ‘distinguished by extraordinary courage’ is more appropriate here, when Ingrid’s actions in confronting an [alleged] assassin and comforting a dying British soldier outside his barracks, sparing no thought for her own safety, was paramount.”

Ms Loyau-Kennett, who is half French, has already been presented with a bravery medal by the French government and more than 85,000 people have signed a petition calling for the British government to do the same thing.