KEEPING a cool head in a crisis and canoeing skills learned on a school trip have earned a top award for Burton Scout Max Allen-Smith after he came to the aid of three capsized colleagues.

Grange School student Max, 13, paddled his own canoe to help the other youngsters safely to the riverbank when they fell overboard on the River Stour at Iford in the summer.

Now Max is to be awarded the Chief Scout's Commendation for Meritous Conduct after his actions were nominated for recognition by his Scout Leader.

Max, whose only previous canoeing experience was on a school trip to the Ardeche region of southern France last year, had just finished an evening kayaking session with the Scouts when the alarm was raised that three other members of his troop had fallen from their boats.

While their canoes were drifting downstream, the three lads Tom Skitt, Jake Bussell and Robert Weston, were left floundering in the water.

Scout leader Graham Markwick called on Max to get back in canoe and he paddled out to the three youngsters to give encouragement while they awaited rescue.

But before Scout leaders and instructors arrived in the safety boat, Max had used his canoe to help the others stay afloat and ferry them to the riverbank.

Nominating Max for the award Burton group Scout leader Graham Hayes said: "Max not only kept the boys amused and calm, but made the decision to transfer them to a gravel landing area on the opposite bank. This he did by asking the strongest swimmer to swim across whilst he ferried Jake and Robert across on the sides of his canoe."

"When the rescue boat arrived, all were ashore and safe, and Max was continuing to oversee the boys' well-being by keeping spirits high. Upon the boys' safe return to their friends and families, Max was afforded a long and loud round of applause for his sterling efforts."

Christchurch District Commissioner Mark Flexman added his own congratulations, telling Max: "Your calm action was an exemplary display of true Scouting spirit and quick thinking. You should be proud of yourself in displaying such character."

Modest Max, who lives in Purewell, has been involved in Scouting since joining the movement as a Beaver seven years ago, said: "It was common sense really, plus what I learned on the trip."