TWO Cumberland council workers who helped save the lives of two people by pulling them from a river in west Cumbria have been praised the council's leader.

At today’s Cumberland Council meeting, September 27 the leader, Cllr Mark Fryer, praised two Cumberland Council staff who helped save the lives of two people by pulling them from a river in west Cumbria.

Zach Rudd and Stuart Minnis, who are based at the council's Moresby site, joined a member of the public in helping to pull the pair out of the river Ehen in Egremont during an incident last month.

Emergency services, including the Great North Air Ambulance Service, also attended.

Zach, Stuart and the third member of the public were hailed as local heroes following the incident.

Cllr Fryer said he offered the Council's thanks and praise to Stuart and Zach for their efforts.