A TEENAGE schoolgirl saved the life of her three-year-old cousin only days after she learnt first aid.

Ashleigh Robson, 14, knew what to do when Summer Horton had a fit and stopped breathing.

She pumped her chest and directed her mother, Tina, to breathe into Summer's mouth.

Their actions saved Summer and, yesterday, the youngster gave her older cousin a hug of thanks.

Ashleigh was also presented with an achievement award by the British Heart Foundation (BHF), after she used skills she learnt at school on one of its Heartstart UK courses.

BHF spokesman Kevin Fitzpatrick said "I am sure she could never have anticipated needing to put her skills to use so soon, but it is fantastic that the course gave her the confidence and the knowledge to act quickly.

"Her intervention could well have saved Summer's life."

Ashleigh and her mother, Tina, had been babysitting Summer on Saturday, October 6, when she noticed the toddler was fitting.

When Summer stopped breathing, Ashleigh, who was on the course three days earlier, put her into a position to receive CPR. She began to carry out chest compressions and asked her mother to perform rescue breaths.

Summer started breathing again shortly afterwards, and Ashleigh, from Billingham, talked to her until the ambulance arrived.

Summer is now recovering well. It is thought her fitting was caused by a tonsillitis virus.

Ashleigh said: "I am really glad I went on the course a few days before. It really helped me remain calm and think about what I had to do."

Summer's mother, Jo, said: "Summer has had a problem like this before when she has started fitting, but we have always been with her. This is the first time someone else has had to deal with it, and we are so happy that Ashleigh and Tina were able to help."

Ashleigh completed the Heartstart UK course at Billingham Campus School, near Stockton, one of more than 2,300 community and school courses held nationwide.

In the past year, more than 200,000 people have been trained.

The course was led by school support worker Gillian Fish, who said: "I believe educating young people in schools is really important -it obviously works."

David Reach, headteacher at Billingham Campus School, said: "We are so proud of Ashleigh. She has done an amazing thing."