EMERGENCY service personnel have been lauded after rescuing a young boy who become trapped in "fast-flowing water" at Alva Glen on Saturday.

Crews raced to the scene amid frantic reports of a child, said to be of primary school age, in distress "in the water".

Police were the first to arrive and helped to secure the youngster as a formal two-hour rescue operation was launched.

Specialist crews from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) were dispatched and arrived on the scene shortly after 4pm.

Crews were able to free him without injury and he was later safely returned to the care of his parents without having to attend hospital.

A spokeswoman for the SFRS told the Advertiser: "We were alerted at 4.02pm on Saturday, May 12 to reports of a child in the water at Alva Glen.

"Operations Control immediately mobilised water rescue and line rescue units to the incident where a young boy had become trapped in fast flowing water.

"Firefighters waded into the water and used a line to safely remove the child.

"He was checked over by ambulance personnel but did not require hospital treatment.

"Crews left the scene at 6.16pm after ensuring the area was made safe."

A police spokesperson confirmed: "Officers were called to the Alva Glen area around 3.55pm on Saturday, May 12, following a report of a boy in the water.

"The primary school-age child was traced in the water by officers, who were supported by our colleagues in the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service, and safely returned to the care of his parents."

While the county indulged in a collective sigh of relief, the actions of the police and fire crews at the scene have been praised by community leaders.

Keith Brown, MSP for Clackmannanshire and Dunblane, said: "The professionalism demonstrated by our emergency services in dealing with this incident is clear, and their efforts have turned a potentially dangerous situation into one with a happy ending.

"I know everyone will share my praise and thanks to all those involved in seeing the young lad involved returned safe and well to his parents."

Alexander Stewart, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, added: "I was delighted to learn about the successful rescue of the young boy who was trapped in fast-flowing water in Alva Glen, thankfully freeing him without injury last weekend; a harrowing experience for him and indeed his parents.

"I pay tribute to the swift and professional response from both Forth Valley police and specialist crews from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

"It's fantastic to hear that after being checked over by ambulance personnel, he did not require hospital treatment and I wish the boy and his parents all the very best for the future."