TWO quick-thinking neighbours have been nominated for a bravery award after they saved the lives of two children.

Tim Justice and Andrew Lynch rescued a young brother and sister trapped in their burning home in Thorn Street, Rawtenstall, as firefighters pulled their mother to safety.

The family were all in bed when the brave duo came to the rescue earlier this month.

Young Daniel Lord, 12, and his sister Samantha, 11, were helped out from their smoke-filled bedroom. Their mother, Karen, 34, was dragged from her bedroom by firefighters Wayne Howarth and Darryl Wood after falling unconscious from smoke inhalation.

Tim, 34, provided a ladder for Daniel to escape from his upstairs bedroom window and 21-year old Andrew climbed out of his skylight window to to get on to the roof to rescue Samantha.

Steve Kennedy, Bacup station commander, said: "Without a shadow of a doubt had it not been for their actions of bravery the outcome could have been completely different in terms of a far more serious incident.

"They were all extremely brave and showed immense courage."

Peter Holland, Lancashire chief fire officer, will now review the report and make a decision on whether the neighbours will be eligible for a bravery award.

The family's greyhound was also rescued when crews searching the house found him cowering under the bed. And a police officer had to be taken to hospital, suffering smoke inhalation, after trying to help the family to safety.

Daniel and Samantha spent the night at a neighbour's house, while their father, Brian, who was out at the time, spent the night by Mrs Lord's side.

At the time of the incident - around 11.30pm on April 4 - Sub officer Simon Fryer said: "Both men deserve a bravery award. Andrew's act is one of the bravest I have ever seen."

But speaking after the incident, Tim said: "You do not think in this situation, you just get on with it."