A YOUNG child was saved from drowning at Castle Howard, near Malton, in a dramatic rescue by a fire crew.

The youngster struggling in the castle's Great Lake was pulled to safety by a specially-trained team.

In reality, it was a staged rescue during a training session for North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service's Malton fire station.

Members of Red Watch were taking part in a water safety exercise they use mainly during floods.

Watch manager Justin Rowe said: "We have an inflatable dingy which we use to rescue people who are trapped in mud, or ice, or by floods.

"We organise the training every 18 months and it is now part of the crew's required training."

The test scenario saw the seven firefighters rescue a child in difficulty 20 metres from the shore.

While saving the casualty, they also had to capsize and right the boat.

Richmond is the only other fire station in North Yorkshire to have the same capability.

A spokesman for Castle Howard said: "They have been here before and we are happy to offer the help they need."