A SCHOOLBOY was saved by a team of mountain rescuers after he fell into a stream.

It is believed the 15-year-old, from Eaves Lane, Chorley, was trying to jump over a 6ft stream at White Coppice and slipped in.

He suffered a broken ankle and ambulance crews called on 16 volunteer members of the Bowland and Pennine Mountain Rescue team to help move him from the side of the river to the waiting ambulance.

The team, on call 24-hours-a-day, was mobilised using a new pager system allowing the first crew member to arrive just minutes after the call.

Team leader Tony Bond, said: "We were called at about 3.15pm and arrived within 30 minutes of the original call.

"The boy had managed to climb out of the river on to the far side of the bank, but the ambulance crew were having difficulties because the stream is enclosed by eight foot walls and it was difficult to gain access. "We used a special stretcher to get him across the river to the ambulance, about 300 metres away, which only took us about 10 minutes.

"It seems he'd been messing around with his mates and just fallen in the stream.

"He heard a snap and realised he'd broken his ankle, though I don't think he was particularly scared, just very cold and very embarrassed."

The boy was taken to Royal Preston Hospital for treatment.