A HOLIDAY park worker who can’t swim was one of two people involved in an heroic boat rescue at the flooded White Cross Bay chalet complex in Windermere, it has emerged.

Amid the destruction, there was a tale of heroism when park employee and non-swimmer Alex Hodgson, 25, joined fellow employee Mark McGarry, 38, in a dinghy rescue effort.

The pair stayed up 30 hours rescuing stricken holidaymakers who had woken up surrounded by several feet of water.

The electrical and telephone systems had gone down in the floods, meaning the pair couldn’t contact people trapped in the holiday homes from the centre’s main reception.

Luckily the camp had a load of safety gear left over from the recent waterside firework display, and suitably equipped with lifejackets they sailed off into the swamped holiday park.

“It was a bit surreal really – rowing around calling out to see if anyone needed rescuing.

“I could only liken it to that bit at the end of Titanic, when everything is really calm and quiet despite all the ruin,” said Mr McGarry of Preston.

Mr Hodgson admitted to being ‘more than a bit worried’ at not being able to swim, but came through with flying colours.

The business, on the shores of Windermere near Troutbeck was devastated during the flooding.

Repair work will cost the business £2m and £250,000 in lost earnings.

Forty of the 350 holiday homes on the site have been ruined and the park will be closed until March.