TWO local holidaymakers, who saved four children from being swept out to sea, are to be recommended for a bravery award.

Radcliffe schoolboy Matthew Barlow (15) and family friend David Roberts held the frightened youngsters above their heads - and only inches above the incoming tide - as a lifeboat crew battled against the strong currents of Scotland's Solway Firth.

Matthew, a pupil at Radcliffe High School, and David, his sister's boyfriend, were exploring the Sandyhills coastline of the Solway Firth on Thursday when they were alerted by a woman concerned for her missing three children and their cousin.

Matthew and David were joined by ex-Army major Duncan Palmer who had been strolling with his grandchildren. They spotted the frightened youngsters on a sandbank 600 yards from the shore.

The three rescuers made their way to the stranded children and were leading them back to safety, carrying them on their shoulders, when the rapidly rising tide suddenly closed in around them, trapping them 30 yards from the shore.

Mr Nigel Porter, senior watch officer with the HM Coastguard said: "They were forced to raise the children above the heads. Had the lifeboats arrived a few minutes later then all seven would have been swept out to sea and drowned."

Now the coastguards and the local police are recommending bravery awards for Matthew, of West Vale, and David, of Turks Road, both Radcliffe, as well as Major Palmer.

"If it had not been for their actions, which could have cost them their own lives, these children would have died," said Mr Porter.

"All three deserve an award for reacting so quickly and without regard for their own safety."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.