AN Anglesey grandmother has praised the “quick thinking bravery”of her 12-year-old grandson after he rescued a friend in a dramatic sea rescue.

On Sunday, Leon Griffiths, from Amlwch, was having fun with a group of friends at a popular swimming spot The Creek, near Amlwch Port.

All but one of around seven children, aged between 12 and 13, had left the water at around 2.30pm, but one girl, who had swum a little further out got into difficulties and was being pulled out to sea by the current.

Leon, who had been at the area, also known as Lan Mor Llan, with his cousin Shannon Griffiths, spotted their friend in trouble.

He quickly jumped into the sea and swam out to help the stricken youngster, swimming alongside and behind, encouraging her to keep going, and guiding her safely back to shore.

Proud ‘Nain’ Miriam Sanders, from Amlwch, said: “Leon was just amazing. To say I am proud is an understatement.

“The whole family is proud of him, for his quick thinking and bravery. He stayed calm in an emergency, he used his initiative. He and Shannon have grown up knowing about the dangers of the sea. We are proud of all the kids, they all worked together to help in the rescue, and several of them called 999. You hear so many bad things about young people, it is wonderful to hear a good news story, they did the right thing. Leon put someone else before himself. Generations of Amlwch families and children have swum there. The child was just unlucky, there is no blame on anyone, children have swum there for years.”

“Thankfully, the emergency services were not required, but as a family we are grateful for their attendance.”

Leon said: “We’d just come in to get something to eat, but one of our friends carried on swimming, and had gone out, away from the rocks, then she shouted. She couldn’t get in, so I swam further out, I just went to help her, I am not really a hero!”

During the incident the Holyhead Coastguard called out the search and rescue helicopter from Caernarfon, Moelfre RNLI and the Cemaes Bay coastguard team. The 13-year-old girl was checked out by paramedics but did not need hospital treatment.

Leon’s mum Emma Dixon also added: “We are just buzzing, we are so proud of Leon.” His aunt, Lisa Hulse, added: “We’ve been spoiling him rotten with chocolate since the rescue!”

The mum of the rescued youngster said: “I just want to thank everyone who helped, Leon, the emergency services and Kirsty Hathaway and her daughters who contacted the emergency services.”