THREE youngsters prompted a major rescue after they became stranded on an island when their dinghy sank.

Water rescue officers in diving suits joined firemen in the hour-long operation at Foxhill Bank Lodge, Oswaldtwistle, about 4pm yesterday.

Declan David Ainsworth, eight, of Albert Street, Oswaldtwistle, and Anthony Macken, nine, and Dominic Cain, 11, both of Sharples Street, Accrington, were using a rubber dinghy to sail out 20 metres from the jetty at the nature reserve, which is open to the public.

They reached the island and tried to push the dinghy back to get friend Stuart Macken, 12, of Sharples Street, Accrington, but it sank on the way back.

Stuart ran to a house to get help and the emergency services were called.

Paramedics threw a foil blanket across to the lads, who huddled in it to keep warm as temperatures dropped to around four degrees. Meanwhile the fire service's water rescue officers, called in from Preston, brought out an inflatable raft.

Once returned to safety, the boys were treated by paramedics at Oswaldtwistle Fire station for the effects of the cold.

Stuart and Anthony's mum, Julie Mateer, was getting worried after she told the boys to be home for 5pm.

She sent out a search party and was relieved when the boys were found in the back of an ambulance at 5.30pm.

"I knew they'd taken the dinghy out," she said, "but I didn't know they were on the water. They are not normally in trouble.

"I would like to thank the fire service for rescuing them."

Dominic's mother, Deanna, had no idea that so many fire engines had gone out to rescue them.

She said: "The police never mentioned it was such a big operation when they dropped Dominic off. I can't thank them enough for rescuing them and returning them home safe and sound."

Accrington Station officer Pete Ashworth said water rescues had become a major part of the fire service's duties because of the number of children who got into difficulty.

And he added that officers now underwent heavy training for such incidents.

He said: "Any time there is an incident like this we have to mobilise five appliances, and one with officers trained in diving has to come from Preston.

"We cannot send someone in the water because an officer died doing so a couple of years ago. It might be something innocuous for the kids like this incident was, but it is a massive operation for us."