Tragedy struck at a local beauty spot when Andrew Smith, 34, of First Avenue, Atherton, drowned at around 7.40pm on Wednesday after diving into a reservoir to rescue his girlfriend's 12-year-old daughter.

They were enjoying the sunny weather at Anglezarke Reservoir in Chorley when Amy Nowell is believed to have fallen off a rock into the water.
Amy swam out safely, but Mr Smith got into difficulties in the cold water.

Police, mountain rescue divers and the fire brigade were unable to save him and his body was recovered two hours later. His partner Tricia Nowell, believed to be in her early 30s, was too upset to speak yesterday but friends of the family paid tribute to "a smashing guy" and fun-loving joker.

One neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: "They kept themselves to themselves mostly, but he would come over to ask me for tips on gardening.

"He was interested in doing up the garden after the council put some new fences in.
"He'd already done up the front and was about to start on the back soon.

"It's just a real shock. He was only over yesterday asking where he should plant this or what he should do with that and I've given him plants in the past.

"He was a local lad and he had a great sense of humour, always having a joke.
"I don't think they go to the reservoir a lot, they just went up there after tea last night and the first we heard about it was this morning.

"Even after all the sun the water would have been very cold at that time."

People close to the family say Mr Smith had recently been off work following a minor operation but he is believed to have been a professional driver.