FIREFIGHTERS carried out a dramatic rescue to save an 11-year-old boy stranded on a small island.

The boy and a friend attempted to swim across a lake on Nutgrove Hall Drive in Thatto Heath.

But as he was making his way across, he snagged his foot on a piece of netting and fearing it was too dangerous to go back, he clambered onto the island.

Following a call from one of his friends, fire fighters eventually managed to free the shivering schoolboy.

Divisional Officer Arthur Smith said: "The lake was quite a size and looks to have been formed by a natural sinkage in the ground. We didn't even know it was there. When we eventually got him off the island he was suffering from slight hypothermia and shock. When his dad turned up we explained how dangerous it was to swim here.

"We tested the depth and were surprised as to how deep it was. With the new housing estate and a lot of new families, we would advise people to be very careful."

Paramedics carried out first aid at the scene and he was taken to Whiston Hospital.