Two men who have been hailed as local heroes in the Bog Walk gorge where they said to have saved many lives were recognised for their efforts recently.

Michael Kelly and Samuel Dixon were given awards by the St Catherine Parish Council at its award ceremony.

"We are very pleased to be recognised for this award, is years now we a save people life in the river, but we need to get some gear too," Kelly told THE STAR.

He said that there is also the need for a station to be built where gear can be placed to make rescue efforts much easier.

"Yes, this is a good attempt fi say respect to we still, but other persons need to be recognised still," Dixon added.

Meanwhile Mayor of Spanish Town Norman Scott said the two recipients were among five trained by the Office Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management.

"It is a very good job that these persons are doing for years. Therefore, they are heroes in their own right and we are showing appreciation," Mayor Scott said.

He told The Star that further assistance would be given to the divers before year-end.

Among the 50 awardees were Olympian Asafa Powell, the St Catherine Chambers of Commerce, the St Catherine Co-operative Credit Union, the Lions Club and others.