A HEROIC teenager who saved a drowning woman and child from the River Severn in Bewdley is to be nominated by the town council for a prestigious bravery award.

Matt Gore, who made the front of last week's Shuttle/Times & News for his daring rescue, is to be put forward for an honour from the Royal Humane Society.

The 19-year-old leapt into action last month when he went to the aid of a woman and child on Severnside South.

At the time it was thought to be a mother and four-year-old boy but it turned out to be a six-year-old with his aunt. They live in Bewdley but have not been named.

Matt, who lives on the riverside street, jumped in fully clothed and dragged the two back to safety.

At a town council meeting on Monday Councillor Carol Gittins said the youngster was "a hero in every sense of the word".

She said: "I am sure we all agree that Matt was very brave and courageous to carry out these rescues and that he undoubtedly risked his own life and saved the lives of an aunt and her nephew."

The proposal received the full support of the council which agreed to invite the teenager to a meeting in the Mayor's Parlour.

Councillor Liz Davies said: "There is so much negative publicity about youth today that it is up to the town council to support an action like this."

The unassuming teenage labourer said he was flattered by the attention and his new-found celebrity status.

"It's all a bit scary really. I find it a bit embarrassing, but it is nice that people think it was something special," he said.

"Lots of people have been coming up to me to talk about it."

He has had a thank-you note from the woman he saved and she has also sent him a mug inscribed "One in a million".

Mrs Gittins said she would also like to commend an un-named man with a heart condition who waded out in an initial rescue attempt, and the woman who tried to save her nephew.

Anyone with information on these people should contact her on 01299 404113.

The Royal Humane Society is a charity dating back to 1774 which awards medals, of varying distinctions, to people who have saved someone else's life.