A PROUD mum today hailed her son a "Superman" after he saved a young girl from drowning in a river.

And Megan Berry, of Nuttall Street, Blackburn, appealed for the family of the child to come forward and let them know she is all right.

Michael, 14, dragged the girl, aged about seven, out of the River Ribble at Edisford, Clitheroe, after spotting her being swept away by the current and struggling to stay afloat.

Now he has put ambitions of being a footballer to one side and is dreaming of being a life guard.

Michael, a pupil at Witton Park High School, Blackburn, was enjoying the hot weather on Thursday afternoon with his mum, grandad, grandma and three-year-old sister Rebecca at the packed beauty spot.

Megan said: "I noticed the girl and she seemed to be taking the mickey and going under the water and coming back.

"When she went again, Michael said 'she's not joking' and ran over. She was at the other end of the river about 150 yards away where there was no one around.

"No one else around us seemed to make a move. He ran through the shallow section and then swam when it got deeper.

"He told her to grab hold of his hand and he scooped her up. Her family were on the bank but didn't realise what was happening.

"He scurried back and then put her down and she was coughing. Others nearby said 'well done lad'.

"I said 'well done Superman' and he was shaking like a leaf. He has been quite modest about it, but I am so proud of him."

Michael said: "I don't know why I was shaking. I am just glad I helped somebody. I just ran in and didn't think about anything.

"The girl said she wasn't with her parents and her aunty came over when I brought her back and said 'I didn't realise it was you'."

The ambulance was not called as Megan said the girl seemed okay after her ordeal.