QUICK-thinking neighbours helped to save the life of a ten-year-old boy when he fell through ice as he tried to reach a football on a frozen pond.

Christopher Malcolm was rescued by his 11-year-old friend Andrew Ramsden and residents living near to the pond in Haseley Close, Bradley Fold, Radcliffe.

Steve Slade and Jill Howe, whose homes back onto the pond, rushed to help Christopher after he fell into the freezing water at 1.20pm on Sunday.

The youngster, of Duxbury Avenue, Little Lever, had tried to retrieve a football from the edge of the frozen pond when the ice gave way, and he became submerged up to his shoulders. Christopher said: "I went to get the ball because I thought the ice would be strong enough, but it just gave way. I was lucky that someone was there to get me out of the water. It was very cold and I couldn't move towards the edge because I can't swim. I have learned my lesson not to go near the ice again."

Andrew, a pupil at St James' Primary School in Farnworth, who had been playing football with Christopher at the time, said his friend was just shouting "get me out".

He said: "I just wanted to help but I didn't dare go on the ice because I thought I might fall through as well."

Christopher had tried to get his leg on top of the ice to climb out, but it continued to break as he panicked. Unable to free himself, Christopher called to his friend to get help and Andrew ran to residents in nearby houses who used a long wooden pole to reach the stranded youngster, who was in the water for ten minutes.

Neighbour Steve Slade (50), who saw Christopher fall through the ice from his bedroom window, said: "I thought if we couldn't get him out within a couple of minutes, I would go on the ice to get him but we managed to pull him in with the pole. I could see he was getting weak and starting to panic."

Firefighters from Farnworth fire station said he could have died if he had been trapped a few minutes more. Neighbours wrapped Christopher in a duvet and he was given first-aid by firemen before being taken to the Royal Bolton Hospital for treatment for hypothermia.

Christopher was given blankets and a warm drink at the hospital to bring his temperature back to normal, and he was allowed home the same day.

Christopher's father, Mr Paul Malcolm, said: "I'm just relieved there was someone there to help him. It doesn't bear thinking about what could have happened to him."

The fire service has since placed posters around the pond and leafleted nearby homes reminding people of the water danger. Officers will also be visiting local schools to speak to children about playing on frozen ponds.