A BURNLEY soldier who helped rescue a mother and her four-week-old baby from a blazing house was given a bravery award today but said: "I'm no hero".

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

And Private North when receiving his award insisted modestly he was only doing his job by carrying Kelly to safety from a burning flat with all the escape routes blocked.

Private North and Private Smith were part of a crew from the Queen's Lancashire Regiment, which was manning a Green Goddess in Operation Fresco which covered the Kirkby area of Liverpool during a fire strike.

Using ladders, they were able to bring to safety Kelly and Jay who were trapped in their first floor flat's living room.

Now their bravery has been rewarded by the chief superintendent of Merseyside Police, Chief Superintendent Paul Forrester.

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

Private North said: "I have only been in the battalion for eight months so to receive an award so early in my career is an amazing honour.

"I remember when we did the rescue that the street was blocked by cars and we couldn't get the green goddess down.

"We had to take the ladder off and run to the flat.

"Flames were coming from the ground floor door and we could see Kelly and Jay in the window.

"Private Smith carried the baby and I carried Kelly.

"We were only doing our job and I am just so glad we got them out in time."

And for Private Smith, a father himself, the rescue has had a lasting legacy as Kelly has asked him to be godfather of Jay, which he has accepted, and Jay's middle name will now be Duncan.

Kelly said: "I am just so grateful for what they have done for us.

"Me and my boyfriend decided it would be wonderful for Duncan to be Jay's godfather and we are going to give him the middle name of Duncan."

Private Smith said that joining the army has proved to be the best thing he ever did.

Lieutenant Colonel Jorge Mendonca, commanding officer of the Queen's Lancashire Regiment, said: "I am delighted that two of my soldiers have received commendations from the Merseyside Police Force.

"Their actions epitomise the performance of every single soldier and sailor deployed on Operation Fresco.

"We will continue to conduct fire-fighting duties in the most professional manner we can in order to save lives."