A JUDGE has revived a rare court order to reward a teenager who saved the lives of a drowning mother and baby.

Paul Swift, 17, jumped into the Leeds and Liverpool canal at Eanam, Blackburn, last April to rescue the pair.

Paul, an apprentice electrician, of Birchall Avenue, Darwen, was one of the winners at the Evening Telegraph's recent Pride of East Lancashire Awards and has met Princess Anne.

Yesterday, he was summoned to Preston Crown Court under a little-used order so he could be commended by Judge Peter Openshaw QC, the Recorder of Preston, and the High Sheriff of Lancashire, Gail Stanley.

Paul, who is a member of St John Ambulance in Darwen and a trained first-aider, was walking along the towpath when he spotted a woman floating in the canal.

He immediately jumped in but when he reached the woman he spotted a small child lying face down in the water.

Paul took hold of the toddler and pulled her to safety and put her in the recovery position before returning to the water to rescue the mother.

Judge Openshaw said: "There is no doubt that he saved the lives of both of them from certain death by drowning. It is right that the bravery and resource shown by young Paul Swift should receive public recognition and thanks."

After the ceremony, Paul said: "I'm very proud, although I don't think of myself as a hero. When I saw the woman in the canal I went onto auto-pilot and just acted on instinct.

"I'm sure my St John Ambulance training helped me deal with the situation."

Mum, June Swift, 51, said: "We are all really proud. This is a fantastic achievement, what he did was incredibly brave especially to go into the canal not once but twice."