A NINE-YEAR-OLD who saved another boy from drowning has become the youngest ever recipient of County Durham's highest honour.

Blake Stephenson pulled the French boy from the bottom of a swimming pool and dragged him to the side for help while on holiday in the summer.

His mum Victoria Duke and another member of the public performed CPR until emergency services arrived and although the boy was placed in a medically-induced coma, he later made a full recovery.

Now the brave youngster has been awarded the Chairman’s Medal by the Chairman of Durham County Council, Bill Kellett, Schools Aquatic development manager David Bullen, a representative from the Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) and his headteacher Nicola Murray.

Following the ceremony at Kirk Merrington Primary School, near Spennymoor, Blake said: “I feel very excited – I didn’t think I would get an award and I didn’t realise how special they are.

“A lot of people have come to see me, my sister is very grumpy that I’m getting all of this attention.”

The humble lifesaver becomes the youngest ever recipient of the medal, following Olympic gymnast Amy Tinkler who received the award last year.

Blake, of Spennymoor, also received a Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) Commendation and 125th anniversary badge.

He was taught his lifesaving skills as part of the national curriculum swimming lessons in school, which includes learning about the dangers of being in and around water, rescue and ways of summoning help using water-based solutions.