A PARTIALLY paralysed man, who was commended for his bravery in saving two lives, has spearheaded efforts to create a Japanese-style garden at a residential home.

Dave Kirwan, of Darlington Lions Club, has devoted his time to creating the feature at Rockcliffe Court residential home, in Hurworth, near Darlington.

Mr Kirwan, who hit the headlines when he picked up a Royal Humane Society Award for two daring sea rescues, hopes to complete the work in a few weeks.

In the first incident in 1991, he struggled to bring the man ashore and continued mouth-to-mouth resuscitation on him even after he was pronounced dead.

The man, Ronnie Bell, of Ferryhill, County Durham, eventually came round.

During the second rescue, the left side of Mr Kirwan's body was left partially para-lysed after he was thrown against the sea wall by stormy waves.

He grabbed a lifebelt and leapt into the sea after hearing that one of a group of youths had been swept into the water.

As they were being pulled ashore, high waves crashed them against the sea wall several times.

Mr Kirwan, 55, was presented with an award from the Carnegie Hero Trust Fund for his efforts.

However, severe injuries to his neck, shoulder and arm eventually cost him his building job.

The garden project would have cost anything up to £20,000 but donations of material and hard work boosted Mr Kirwan's efforts.

About 30 tonnes of stone have been used to create a fish pond, with a variety of water features, platforms, viewing area for home residents and more.

"We have had all sorts of volunteers coming in to help out - the crew of HMS Hurworth and the lads from the Darlington Territorial Army centre have been here," he said.