A SCHOOLGIRL from Bolton hailed a hero after she helped to save the lives of two youngsters has been honoured by a drowning prevention charity.

Nine-year-old Lakeisha Saynam Nealon was visited by a member of the Royal Life Saving Society after swimming to the rescue of two young girls while on holiday in Thailand.

On July 19, she dragged a four-year-old to safety after her armbands had slipped off at the Sutus Court Hotel in Pattayah.

Then just a few days later the keen swimmer went to the rescue of another little girl after seeing her stumble over the barrier by the pool at The One Hotel in Beung Khan.

Thanks to the quick thinking of the youngster, both girls are fine.

Lakeisha, who attends Masefield Primary School in Little Lever, said: “It makes me feel good to receive this award and I am very proud. Although it was a bit scary I would do it again if I saw someone in danger.

“I think it is important for children to learn how to swim because it could save their life.

“When I told my friends at school that I had helped to save two children they were proud of me too.”

Lakeisha – who was awarded a certificate for her bravery – added: “I am going to put it on my bedroom wall where I can always see it.”

Aaron Dhanda, community drowning prevention coordinator at Royal Life Saving Society UK, who awarded the certificate, said: “Lakeisha did a fantastic job and has done a selfless thing in jumping in to save people in need.

“Not many people of any age, let alone at the age of nine, can say that they have saved someone’s life, but she has saved two already.

“We are really thankful for the family getting in touch with us and they all should be very proud of Lakeisha.

“It is really important that these kinds of stories get recognised and shared as much as possible.”

Lakeisha’s mother, Sumran, aged 44, said she was very proud of her daughter for her courage.

“The fact that she wanted to help others and wasn’t afraid shows the the kind of person she is.”

Father Ian, aged 48, of Little Lever, said: “Our daughter has always been very game. She doesn’t seem to be frightened about anything really and is generally a very confident person so it didn’t surprise me that she did what she did.

“After she had saved the second person, you wouldn’t have thought she had saved someone’s life, she just carried on playing in the pool.”