TWO East Lancashire soldiers are to receive bravery awards after rescuing a mother and her four-week-old baby from a blazing house.

Private Duncan Smith, 24, from Great Harwood, and Private Lee North, 24, from Burnley, rescued a 20-year-old mother Kelly Turner and her four-week-old youngster Jay in the early hours of Friday, November 29.

They were part of a crew from the Queen's Lancashire Regiment, which was manning a Green Goddess in the Kirkby area of Liverpool during a fire strike.

Using ladders, they were able to bring to safety mother Kelly Turner, 20, and her four-week-old baby Jay, who were trapped in their first floor flat's living room.

Now their bravery is to be rewarded by the chief superintendent of Merseyside Police, Chief superintendent Paul Forrester.

The pair were due to return to Merseyside today from their army base at Catterick Barracks to receive commendations for bravery from the police chief.

For Private Smith, the rescue was very poignant. At the time, he said: "Up until now, we have only really dealt with car fires and things like that so this was our first major incident. It is a very satisfying feeling to know we have saved lives, especially a baby's. I have got a two-year-old son so I know what it means."

After he had rescued Jay, mum Kelly was rescued by Pte North. Pte Smith said that joining the army has proved to be the best thing he ever did -- not only for himself, but for his wife Donna and their two-year-old son Joseph Peter.

He said: "I do miss them a lot when we are away, but I needed a steady career which would provide security."