A TEENAGER from Rossendale is to be presented with a prestigious national award for a heroic fire rescue in Bacup.

Vicky Ticehurst, 16, will receive the Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society Award from local police and the Mayor of Rossendale at Rawtenstall Town Hall next Thursday.

The award follows an incident on April 17 last year, where plucky Vicky helped to rescue three children from a fire at a terraced house in Abbey Street, Bacup.

Baby Jim Lynch, 2, PJ Goodwin, 6, and Aaron Goodwin, 12 months, were asleep in the house when a blaze broke out in the kitchen.

They were woken by the sound of Jim's screams in a smoke-filled house and managed to clamber through a sky-light on to the roof.

Vicky, who was staying at the house at the time, led the trio out of the skylight where they were rescued from the roof by neighbour Nigel Clegg. Insp Dave Shepherd, said: "Vicky displayed extreme courage and presence of mind during the dramatic rescue. Without her intervention, the incident could have been much worse.

"Her bravery and quick thinking is to be commended and I am delighted that she is to get official recognition for her brave actions from the Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society. She richly deserves the award."