A 10-YEAR-OLD girl was saved by mountain rescue teams after collapsing on Darwen Moor while walking two dogs.

And four mystery hill walkers have been praised for their efforts in the rescue mission after providing a blanket and calling an ambulance.

Megan Brandon, of Sunnyhurst Lane, Darwen, collapsed while walking her dog Labrador Oscar and a friend's alsatian with her dad John at about 3pm on Sunday.

Megan, who goes to Avondale Primary School, Durham Road, Darwen fell to the ground in the Stepback Brook area on the lower slopes of Darwen Moor.

Four walkers spotted the pair in trouble and provided assistance while help was on its way.

Megan's dad, John, 44, said: "I would like to express my thanks not just to the passers-by but the mountain rescue and the ambulance team."

He said: "I started shouting for help. I had my mobile phone so I made the emergency call.

"Without a shadow of a doubt it would have been more difficult without them. I was in a distressed state as it was.

"I have quite a bit of first aid background knowledge but because it was my own daughter I felt a little bit helpless. It was pretty traumatic to say the least.

"This chap just appeared from nowhere and gave Megan first aid."The members of the public also received a special thank you from Bolton Mountain Rescue, who carried out the rescue.

A member of the rescue team, Gyles Denn, was out walking near-by and was first on the scene.

He sent for one of the team's four-wheel drive vehicle to transport Megan back to the main road at The Royal Arms, Tockholes Road.

It is not known the reason for her collapse and she was taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital for a check up.

Team leader Gary Rhodes said: "Because the girl had collapsed on a moorland track, only accessible via four-wheel drive vehicles, our first responding vehicle was able to access the casualty site almost directly.

"We would like to make special mention of the passing group of four hill walkers, two men and two women, who so readily rendered help and assistance to the father and his daughter, and then went on to bring their two dogs back to the roadside, allowing our team members to get on with their jobs."