LOCAL MSP Keith Brown attended a reception at Edinburgh Castle to acknowledge the winners of the Brave@Heart Awards 2016, where two local heroes received an award.

Sandy Dowell and Scott MacKay from Sauchie were among 35 people from blue-light services, voluntary sector rescue organisations and the public to be given an award by the first minister on October 4 in recognition of their exceptional acts of bravery.

Scott and Sandy had been out for a run at Gartmorn Dam when they heard cries for help from a group of children playing near the water.

When they ran to help and found a six-year-old boy lying face down in the water, tangled in reeds, they dived in to pull him to safety before beginning CPR. The young boy was taken by ambulance to hospital where he made a full recovery.

The MSP for Clackmannanshire and Dunblane said: “I was delighted to meet Scott and Sandy at the awards ceremony and have the opportunity to say thank you for their brave act which saved a young boy’s life – they are a credit to Clackmannanshire.

“The actions of members of the public like Scott and Sandy, and our colleagues in the emergency services, who save the lives of others is an inspiration to us all, and I would like to offer my congratulations to everyone who received an award.”