A LORRY driver who died saving his drowning 12-years-old step-daughter from Anglezarke Reservoir has been honoured with a posthumous bravery award.

Andrew Smith, who was terrified of deep water, is the first hero to be recognised by the Carnegie Hero Fund Trust, which honours and supports civilian heroes and their dependants.

His partner Tricia Nowell and surviving daughter Aimee and her sister Jodi, travelled to Scotland to receive a certificate and citation at a ceremony in the Andrew Carnegie Birthplace Museum, Dunfermline, which houses the Trust’s illuminated Roll of Honour.

The ceremony, held on what would have been Andrew’s birthday - heard how a family walk in the sunshine round the reservoir turned into tragedy on May 14, 2008.

While playing at the waterside with seven-years-old step-sister Jodi, Aimee slipped from a rock into the reservoir, and got into difficulties.

Andrew, 34, of First Avenue, Atherton, plunged into the water, brought Aimee to the surface and made for the shore with his daughter on his back.

When they were about 14 paces from the shore, the family dog, Scooby, a German Shepherd, swam out towards them. Aimee grabbed the dog over Andrew’s head and the family pet pulled her back to safety.

Tricia helped Aimee out of the water and was attending to her when she noticed that Andrew was treading water and not moving. She went in to help, but was unable to find him. The emergency services later recovered his body.

At the ceremony, Trust chairman, Dr David Smith, explained that Andrew Smith’s name had been inscribed in the Roll of Honour and that Trustees would maintain a continuing interest in his family’s welfare.

Dr Smith told the family: “Heroism is difficult to define and can take many forms. In Andrew’s case I know he was afraid of deep water and yet, without hesitation, he went into the reservoir. He did the right thing and you are all justly proud of him and his actions. It was truly a heroic act and you will derive great comfort from knowing that.”

Tricia, Andrew’s partner of ten years, said: “For us, this is a day of sadness but also of great pride in the fact that Andrew’s heroism has been recognised and his memory honoured.”

Soon after the tragedy, the grieving family planted a tree, at one of his favourite places - Rivington.