A nine-year-old boy has been praised after saving the life of his best friend in a swimming pool.

Jack Moran was described as a hero by his friend, ten-year-old Keith Ross, who got into trouble after floating into the deep end at Whitley Bay's Leisure Pool while the wave machine was on.

Quick-thinking Jack swam over and, remembering rescue routines he had watched, pulled his friend to safety.

Keith, said: "Jack deserves a medal."

Strong swimmer Jack said: "I was really scared he would drown, but I knew straight away what to do, as I've seen people practising rescues.

"I knew I had to keep his head above the water."

Jack's mother, Karen, had taken the pair, along with her 13-year-old daughter Amy, to the pool as a holiday treat.

A spokeswoman for North Tyneside Council, which runs the pool, said: "The council takes the safety of everyone using our leisure facilities very seriously. All lifeguards in our pools are trained to Royal Lifesaving Society standards.

"We are pleased Keith is safe. Staff have already spoken to his parents and an investigation is under way."

Both boys are from the Shiremoor area of North Tyneside.