A 14-year-old boy and his friend have been hailed heroes after saving two children and their grandma from drowning during a trip to Blackpool.

Ben Ashworth was visiting the resort with family friend Charlotte McIntyre when a woman and her two grandchildren got into difficulties in the sea.

Acting on instinct, the Shuttleworth College pupil, who was paddling just off the beach steps at the time, swam out and dragged her back to shore.

The grandma described Ben as a ‘Godsend’ who had saved his life.

Ben, who lives in Burnley, had been on the beach in Blackpool for the airshow during the summer holidays.

He said: “We could see two young children, aged around seven and eight, struggling and their grandma, who was in her sixties, went in to help them.

“She was pulled further out to sea and Charlotte jumped in to help the children and the lady was floating further away.

“I just acted on instinct.

“I am quite a strong swimmer and swam out to her and dragged her back to shore.

“She had a heart condition and it was cold.

“She was drenched when she got out and she called me a ‘Godsend’ and couldn’t thank me enough.

“She said I saved her life.

“I never really thought about it – I just wanted to help.”

The year 10 student, who swims as a hobby, said he didn't know who the woman was and has not seen her since they separated on the beach.

Miss McIntyre, 24, said she ran into the sea after hearing the woman scream ‘help’.

The mum-of-three said: “The grandma pushed the kids to me and we kept getting pushed back by the tide but we managed to get to the steps.

“As soon as I heard ‘help’ I just ran in.

“I think it was mother’s instinct but Ben is just a kid himself. You don’t expect a 14-year-old lad to do that.”

She said they wrapped the children in blankets before paramedics arrived.

Ben’s mum Sarah Oxborough, 40, said: “I asked him how his day had been and he said, ‘It was really good. I saved someone’.

“He was so laid back about it - like it was nothing. It was just so natural to him to go and help.

“I am extremely proud of him all the time. He’s a lovely boy.

“If anybody falls he will pick them up. It is just totally natural.

“Obviously when Ben was telling me about it I knew he was safe but if I had been there at the time it would have been different. I would have been so worried.”

Ben and Charlotte have been nominated for a 2BR Local Hero Award which honours inspirational people across Lancashire.