A MUM has hailed four boys - one just aged 12 - as heroes after they rushed to the aid of her daughter who nearly drowned.

Tyler Hankinson, 14, and her friend, were enjoying a weekend away in Rhyl when they got into difficulties in the water.

Twins Callum and Corey Rayner, 13, step-brother Calum Winstanley, 12, and their friend - known as Riley - heard two girls crying for help and waving theirs arms at about 3.50pm on Saturday, near the Pavilion Theatre.

The boys, who are cadets for Prestatyn young firefighters, ran down the beach and tried to ask the girls if they needed help.

They quickly realised the seriousness of the situation, and managed to flag down a lifeguard who was walking along the prom.

Kirsty Parkinson, of Prestatyn, step-mum to Callum and Corey and mum to Calum, said: "The girls were panicking and in distress. The boys all ran to the RNLI gift shop, but were told by the ladies that they didn't think the girls were in any trouble and just playing around.

"The boys knew it was serious, so they went looking for a lifeguard.

"With there only being one lifeguard, Corey knew that he would need more help, so he went back into the RNLI shop and alerted them again. The boys then ran down to the lifeguard hut and alerted the lady who was there, who then ran down to the girls in the water.

"One if the girls was really poorly. One of the mums of the girls said if it wasn’t for our boys, her daughter wouldn’t be here today."

Lifeboat crew helped the lifeguards get the girls into the inshore lifeboat.

The girls, who had taken in a lot of water, were then ferried back to the station and casualty care was given, including oxygen.

Rhyl Lifeboat, UK coastguard, lifeguards, ambulance and police were all involved in the rescue operation.

The girls were then taken to Glan Clwyd Hospital.

Tyler's mum Gemma Hankinson, who lives in Newton-le-Willows, said: "The boys are heroes in my eyes. The girls could have drowned if it wasn't for the actions taken by the boys.

"The water just dragged them back and they started screaming.

"At first, they thought the boys were waving up them. Then the lifeguard rushed in.

"Tyler had to stay overnight in hospital. She is doing okay now."

The twins and their brother attend Rhyl High School and have been cadets for about six months.

They had been at a football festival and were waiting to be picked up when they heard the girls.

Kirsty, who has partner David Rayner, added: "Our boys dealt with the situation very responsibly. They didn't put themselves in any danger.

"We would like to commend the lifeguard who reacted immediately to the boys' alarm.

"We feel the boys saved the girls lives by acting as quick as they did and seeking extra help. They are very responsible. Myself and Dave have always taught them what to do in an emergency."