THREE teenagers made a dramatic forest rescue.

They were taking part in a 999 challenge in a Lake District when they found a little lost Scout.

The trio - Emma Vaughan, the eldest at 18, plus 16-year-olds Emma Ranson and Sam Bailey - were orienteering in Grizedale Forest when they stumbled on the frightened 11-year-old who had been separated from his troop.

The girls, who spent two full days and nights on the expedition, comforted the distressed boy before leading him back to base.

Emma, of Winchester Avenue, Astley, Emma Ranson (Leigh) and Sam (Hindley) have been toiling since April on the Greater Manchester 999 Challenge, run by the police, fire brigade and ambulance and sponsored by the Royal Sun Alliance engineering group; they expect to complete it by September.

They are members of the 11-strong Wigan Metro team working with team leaders PC Alan Briggs, Sub officer Ken Wadeson of the fire service, Tony Dawber, a Wigan paramedic, and Clare Moss, a portfolio manager from the Royal Sun Alliance.

The candidates, aged 15-18 - a mixture selected "from the streets" - take part in team-building drills.

Team leader PC Briggs said: "I am delighted the girls acted in the right way when they found the little boy. They are handling the course extremely well."

Emma Vaughan, who works at Salford Police Station, said: "We were orienteering a mile or so into the woods and looking for letters. There was a little lad named Matthew at one of them and we asked if he was all right. He burst into tears, said he was lost, and we felt really sorry for him.

"All we could do was take him with us and find his leader when he reached base. We were only too delighted we stumbled upon him and everything turned out well in the end."

Pictured, left to right, are Emma Ranson, Emma Vaughan and Sam Bailey with PC Alan Briggs.

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