A SCHOOLBOY trio who helped save the life of an elderly woman after she fell into a canal have been praised by police officers.

Stewart Evans, Keith Power and Scott McNorton reacted quickly when they heard cries for help coming from the canal at Hall Nook, Penketh.

Stewart, aged 13, of Clifford Road, Penketh, said: "We were walking along the canal to watch our friends fishing when we heard someone shouting help. We got to the bridge but there was no one there. Then we saw a lady in the water waving her arms.

"We ran down and managed to pull her out on to the canal bank. We put a coat around her and I ran to a nearby farmhouse. The farmer thought we were playing a prank at first but he called the police and an ambulance came."

The woman was taken to hospital and is now said to have recovered from her ordeal.

Police Supt Kevin Mayhew sent letters to the families of the three Penketh High School pupils, paying tribute to their calmness and quick-thinking.

He said: "The initiative shown by Stewart and his friends no doubt helped to save this lady's life and we would like to thank him for his public spirited action."

Stewart's mum, Julie, said: "I'm very proud of him. He's a good lad and he's always ready to help other people."

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