A LITTLE girl has met the teenage boy who saved her life - and given him a huge smile to say thank you.

The six-year-old welcomed hero Paul Swift, 16, when he visited her at the children's ward of Queen's Park Hospital.

Paul saved the life of the girl and her mum when he jumped into the Leeds and Liverpool canal behind The Moorings pub in Bolton Road, Blackburn, on Tuesday.

Detective Inspector Pete Broome, of Blackburn Police, today said a dialogue had now begun between police, social services and health bosses concerning the incident and what led up to it.

He added that he could not commend Paul enough.

Despite the woman telling Paul to "leave us", he dragged them both to the canal side and used life-saving skills he learnt at St John's Ambulance to make sure they could breathe.

Paul, and girlfriend Leanne Duce, 16, spent five minutes in the ward with the girl and brought her a box of chocolates.

Paul, an apprentice electrician, said: "She was playing around the play room in the ward. I only spent five minutes there. The nurse asked her whether she remembered me and she said yes. She was smiling. I bought her a box of chocolates and she said thanks."

Paul said he had caught a cold after being in the water of the canal and was now relaxing with his family in Birch Hall Avenue, Darwen, after the drama.

Mr Broome said the inquiry was under way with the help of Blackburn with Darwen's social services department and mental health officials in East Lancashire.

He said police had spoken to the woman and added: "The investigation is continuing. The lady in question continues to receive assessment and treatment in hospital.

"I can confirm a dialogue has been commenced with the other authorities involved."