A BLACKPOOL dad-of-two who saved a couple from drowning has made it through to the semi-finals of a national heroism award.

Kevin Mackay, 47, is in line for a Vodafone Life Savers Award after bravely plunging into the sea off Blackpool last May to rescue a man and woman stranded almost up to their necks in water.

The drama began when Kevin was walking his dog by the beach at about 8.30am and he spotted the couple on a sandbank.

He watched as the man tried to wade to shore through the rising tide with the woman on his shoulders. But he was quickly out of his depth and forced to turn back. They began shouting for help.

Quick thinking Kevin telephoned the emergency services on his mobile 'phone.

Then, with the help of a passer-by, he found a rope and lifebelt and set off through the now shoulder-high water to rescue the pair himself -- despite not being a strong swimmer.

The rescue was a success and the couple later recovered in hospital.

Modest Kevin was nominated for the award by his business partner, Owen McGuire.

"He came to work and never told anyone," Owen said. "It was on Radio Wave and they were talking about this mystery person who'd helped. Later on in the day he said 'it was me'.

"He just didn't think anything of it. But that's the whole idea of bravery -- you don't think, you just do things you wouldn't normally do."

Kevin said it had 'come as a bit of a shock' to find out Owen had nominated him. "I'm sure there are other people out there doing braver things," said Kevin.

Kevin -- who runs Macprint on Regent Road East, Blackpool with Owen -- will have to wait until the end of this month to see if he's won one of the ten Vodafone Life Savers Awards.

His rescue story is one of 20 going before a judging panel who will pick the winners.

If he does win, Kevin will be invited to a Downing Street reception hosted by Prime Minister Tony Blair followed by a swish luncheon at London's Savoy Hotel.

Kevin still can't believe he could win. "I'm a bit embarrassed about it all. It was just a spur of the moment thing," he said.