Two boys are being hailed as heroes after they helped save a younger child from drowning in a river near Carlisle.

A young boy and a man got into difficulty while trying to cross the River Eden at Wetheral by walking along ledges and boulders, witness John Little says.

John, 76, was one of the first to enter the water when the drama unfolded on Saturday, around 3.30pm.

He believes the boys, who are thought to be around 14 years old, should be praised for their bravery.

The pair quickly left their spot on the riverbank, entering the water and swimming against the flow to reach the child.

Mr Little, a grandfather, added: “I went in with my shoes and clothes on, but I was struggling to move. The lads were closer so they could get in. I was further away trying to cross the rapids part.

“We all walked away at the end, it all happened so quickly, but those lads need to be thanked. They had to go almost right across the river to reach them. If they hadn’t been there that would’ve been it.

“The child had gone under and the water was so deep I was in to my shoulders. They’re lifesavers.”

Mr Little, of Mallyclose Drive, off London Road, said: “Afterwards, the mother of the child was saying she was going to get him checked out at hospital. All we know is the little boy is called Jimmy.”

Mr Little, a sound engineer who is a public announcer at the Cumberland Show on Saturday, added: “The stricken man appeared to be in shock. He sat there on one of the ledges for a long time.

“We were trying to get him to come over to us from where he was but he was in a bit of shock.

“It took a while to coax him to come across. We couldn’t leave until we knew he was going to be okay.”

The couple had one young girl, possibly with them. She was on the riverbank with her mumwho had been taking photographs when problems began.

Mr Little and his wife, who were walking their Yorkshire Terrier Paddy, are hoping to meet back up with the young lifesavers. They want to say thank you and are calling on News & Star readers to help in their efforts. They would also like to check up on how the family is following the traumatic experience.

Do you know those involved? Call our newsdesk on 01228 612693 or email news.carlisle@cnmedia.co.uk.