Last updated 15:55, Wednesday, 14 May 2008

CUMBRIA Police has praised the actions of the public and two police officers who rescued two children from the sea at Port Haverigg.

The local children, a 12-year-old boy and a 13-year-old girl, had entered the lagoon but got into difficulties about 100 metres out from the shore, last Sunday.

When police arrived the children and a local man who had swum out to help were all tiring.

On arrival PCs Rachel Brown and Ben Strain, who form part of the Millom Neighbourhood Policing Team, stripped off and swam out to join the rescue attempt.

The officers with help from the public managed to support the children and swim them back to land where the youngsters were treated for shock before being taken to Furness General Hospital, in Barrow as a precaution.

Sgt Rachel Jones said: "This was a near tragedy, which was only averted by the presence of mind of witnesses and the bravery of the local people and police officers who swam to the aid of the children.”

PC Strain said: “It was the closest I have seen to a drowing, we had to tow them to safety.” The rescue was in stark contrast to a controversial case at Bolton where police community support officers failed to rescue a child.