THE father of the Blackpool 'hero' who drowned trying to rescue a young couple from the sea, says "I'm so proud of him."

And Mark Smithurst, 32, will "almost certainly" receive a posthumous bravery certificate from The Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society.

Mark's father, Roger Smithurst, said: "I'm very proud of him, I think he deserves it without a doubt, the majority of people do."

Mark, from Central Blackpool, was fishing with a group of anglers on the promenade near to the Metropole Hotel when he heard the cries for help at 1am on Sunday.

While his friends tried to throw lifebelts to the couple he dived in to rescue them, but he got into trouble and was swept away.

Lytham Coastguard found his body just south of North Pier three hours later. He was taken to Blackpool Victoria Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival at 4.15am.

Mark's dog, a four-year-old spaniel called Penny, was rooted to the spot where her master had dived in.

The Liverpool based society honours members of the public and emergency services who have risked their lives trying to save others. A special award will probably given after the inquest is heard in eight weeks..

Gordon Williams, who runs the society's office in Liverpool, said: "From what I've heard of the incident Mr Smithurst would almost certainly receive an award.

"We have to wait for a report from the police or the coroner and that usually takes about six to eight weeks to come through.

"In June 2000 a 19-year-old man called Mark Hancock, from Stoke-on-Trent, drowned off Gynn Square on the promenade after he tried to rescue his friend. His family got an award."

A spokesperson for the police said: "It's a bit too early to tell yet but we normally wait for the inquest findings to be reached in a couple of weeks before we send the report to the society."

Mark has left a fiancee Sharaine Kelly, 28, and their two-year-old son Sean.

Mr Smithurst, of Leicester Road, Blackpool, said: "The majority of people think he deserves it, he was a real hero.

"It was only a couple of weeks ago that he ran into a burning house in Grasmere Road in Blackpool.

"He kicked the door in and pulled someone out. He only mentioned it the day after at work.

"I asked him why he'd waited and he said 'I'm not bothered dad.' We're tremendously proud."