A YOUNG girl guide who became stuck up to her waist in mud on remote moorland was rescued by quick thinking police officers.

The 13-year-old was walking on Healy Nab, Chorley, with other guides, when four of the party became detached from their leader and group.

She later got into difficulty and a massive rescue operation was launched at around 4.30pm on Saturday.

Police received reports the teenager became stuck fast in mud in freezing conditions as darkness fell.

Several fire teams, the police helicopter and Bolton Mountain rescue were dispatched the scene.

However, the two officers who arrived at the scene first by torchlight managed to hoist the distressed girl from the mud.

The two bobbies involved, PC Matt Gillett and PC Martin Shaw have since become internet hits after a picture of them in their muddy police uniforms was posted by the Chorley force on Facebook.

Yesterday afternoon the image and story had received more than 26,000 likes on Facebook, with hundreds of comments praising their actions.

Inspector Dave Robinson said his officers had shown ‘bravery and tenacity’.