TWO 19-year-olds who dramatically rescued a pair of brothers from a lake have received the highest Poole community champion award.

Phil Comber and Rob Muir dived fully clothed into the lake at Ham Common in August and pulled out two lads aged around three and five, who were out of their depth and struggling in the water.

Their selfless act, as well as earning the gratitude of the boys’ mum, has merited a gold award from the Borough of Poole.

Poole Mayor, Cllr Charles Meachin said: “We were honoured to make this prestigious award of a gold dolphin to two brave young men.

“They took the plunge to rescue two children without any fear for their own safety, averting what could have been a tragic incident.”

The teenagers now have a certificate and a gold lapel badge as a reminder of their leaping into the lake.

They had been swimming and raced to help the boys’ mother who had entered the water but was not strong enough to rescue the pair alone.

Phil from Canford Heath, who is in his second year of a business and marketing course at Bournemouth College rescued one boy and his friend Rob, a mechanic from Bere Regis, saved the other.

They have not heard from the mother since but at the time Phil said: “The mum was very grateful. She said: ‘If you hadn’t been here the worst could have happened’.”

Phil’s mum Nicky, husband Hugh and his girlfriend Naomie Harding were at the Mayor’s Parlour to see him and Rob honoured along with Cllr Carol Evans who nominated the pair.