Anya's back in saddle. ANYA Wheatcroft was just millimetres from death when she was kicked in the face by a horse at a friend's farm.

She lost her right eye, had three metal plates inserted in her face and suffered a fractured skull, cheekbones and a broken jaw.

When she woke up in hospital after six hours of operations Anya saw all her family around her bed weeping.

Yet, as she was told of her injuries Anya bravely tried to cheer them up and said: "I am still alive and I have another eye so don't cry."

Anya, of Waddington Road, Accrington, was riding the horse called Rosey at Icconhurst Farm, Green Haworth on September 18 this year.

Suddenly the horse flipped her off. Anya was slightly bruised but fine.

However, as she walked towards the horse it quickly turned and kicked her in the face.

Surgeons could not save her eye and she has since had another operation to clean and restitch her face and has trouble with touch, taste and hearing.

Incredibly after the accident the 16-year-old is already back in the saddle and studying for a diploma in horse care at Crow Wood Leisure and Equestrian Centre, Burnley.

And after all the trauma Anya has suffered she considers herself lucky.

Now Anya, a former pupil of Mount Carmel RC High, Oswaldtwistle, is likely to be given a false eye which she hopes she will be able to move around properly and she will be able to blink.

Anya was nominated by her 11-year-old cousin Jade, who said: "I can't believe after what has happened Anya still wants to ride horses. I love her to bits."

Woman and child are rescued by Swift action. ST JOHN Ambulance volunteer Paul Swift was walking along the Leeds to Liverpool canal when he was unexpectedly called into using his skills.

A woman and her six-year-old child were in the canal in severe difficulties - without a second thought, the 17-year-old apprentice electrician jumped in.

He pulled them to safety and resuscitated the child using mouth-to-mouth. Later he visited her with chocolates.

While his brave actions that day - April 22, 2003 - were remarkable, his dedication and determination to help others was customary.

Last year he went to every Blackburn Rovers home game in his official capacity as a member of St John Ambulance.

While it not unusual for ambulance volunteers to be as young as Paul, the hours he has put in are exceptional - as testified by the awards he has won.

He has also clocked-up 634 hours of voluntary service, including 147 hours of first aid duties.

Paul, of Darwen, has also travelled to Lourdes for 10 days to work with the elderly and terminally ill.

His cousin Michelle Holden said: "Paul truly cares about other people and is the least selfish person that I know.

"In this day and age so many young men are criticised for their bad behaviour but not praised enough when they do a good turn and in Paul's case save two lives."

Chief Inspector Pete Broome, of Blackburn police, added: "Young people attract an awful lot of criticism but this young man's extreme courage is a timely counterbalance to those criticisms. It shows that youngsters can and do behave extremely public spiritedly."

Deanna has a smile that can melt your soul. LITTLE Deanna Radcliffe was just four when she was diagnosed with an inoperable tumour behind her right eye.

Two years on and what she has experienced would test the toughest adult - excruciating pain caused by a biopsy, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and the loss of her hair.

Yet she showed exceptional courage - to the extent that it is she who has been a tower of strength to her family.

Her mum Liz, from Bacup, told how Deanna helps others, despite her own woes: "I will never forget her courageous attempts to help an older child come to terms with the loss of her hair. In Deanna's opinion bald was beautiful, not ugly.

"After her own initial reaction of distress at the loss of her own hair, she had accepted her situation, making the best of it. A multitude of bandanas were purchased in every colour."

The people of Rossendale took Deanna into their hearts and raised £11,000 so she could go to Disneyland in Florida earlier this year.

During her treatment, Deanna had to wear a specially-made plastic mask and took the only item she was allowed - her toy dog Emily.

Liz said: "Her only show of fear was the silent tears that sparkled in her eyes. Deanna is now in remission, though there is still a long way to go. Deanna's fight against cancer will continue.

"This brave little girl holds a future of eye drops to replace tears, hormone treatment and possible facial reconstruction, but in that future I know she will always have hope, optimism and a smile that can melt your soul."