A SCOUT leader who jumped fully clothed into a lake to save three children from drowning has received an award for gallantry - 12 years later.

John Moore, now 42, was astonished when called before the Durham County Scouts commissioner Jeff Ledger and presented with a silver cross for heroism.

"I played down the rescue at the time and never expected to hear any more about it, especially after all this time," he said yesterday, after returning with the award to his home in Staindrop, near Barnard Castle, County Durham.

He was in a motorboat with a number of Scouts on Lake Windermere in July 1995 when he saw twin brothers, aged 11, and their 13- year-old sister floundering 300 yards from the shore.

He immediately jumped in and grabbed a boy in each arm. He told the girl to cling to his neck and swam slowly on his back until they all reached safety.

Mr Moore added: "They had got out of their depth and were trying to hold each other up, but kept sinking. I could not take the boat alongside them in case the propeller injured them.

"As I swam with them, I could see their mother was hysterical on the lakeside.

"She thanked me and they all left hurriedly. They were tourists visiting the Lake District and I don't know where they lived.

"I was pleased to save the children, but didn't want any fuss, and I was startled when the presentation was sprung on me."

The citation, signed by Chief Scout Peter Duncan, stated: "By his courage and heroic action, he saved the lives of three children who were in danger of drowning, without any thought for his own safety."

He was told that a county official found a brief report about it in old records, discovered that no award had been made at the time and arranged for the silver cross to be sanctioned by the Chief Scout.

It was presented to him during a centenary camp attended by 2,000 boys at Herrington Park, near Sunderland, on Sunday.

Mr Moore, who is now the Explorer Scout leader for Teesdale, runs a business embroidering emblems on sports equipment and school garments.

Colin Clarke, chairman of Barnard Castle Scouts, said: "I've known and worked with him for years, but he has never mentioned the rescue. It is pleasing that it has come to light after all this time."