A 12-YEAR-old boy put the Scouts' motto "Be Prepared" to good use when he leapt into action to help his father, who had collapsed in mysterious circumstances.

Jack Dunning, of Darlington, had been shopping with his father, Mark, when Mr Dunning began to feel unwell as he was driving to his parents' home on Saturday afternoon.

He collapsed in the street after he got out of the car outside his parents' house, in The Byway, Darlington.

But quick-thinking Jack was on hand to prove that Scouts really are always prepared.

He quickly put his father into the recovery position, and then ran to get help from a neighbour, who called for an ambulance.

"It was a bit scary," said Jack.

"Dad had said he had a pain in his head, but then he just collapsed. He was lying on the ground.

"I put him on his side in the recovery position and then went to get help. It took about ten minutes for the ambulance to arrive."

The youngster, who attends Hurworth Comprehensive School, said: "I learnt first aid at Scouts last year but I could still remember it all."

Although no longer a member of the Scouts, Jack had attended the Darlington 7th Scout Group.

Mr Dunning, 38, said: "I came round as the paramedics arrived and they praised Jack for what he'd done.

"I feel he could have saved my life and I'm extremely proud of him. For a 12-year-old, I think he did very well to keep his head in that situation.

"He obviously was able to think clearly enough to know what to do. I'm really pleased he went to Scouts now."

Mr Dunning was taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital following the incident and was released later the same day.

Yesterday he said: "I feel fine now. I don't know what it was that caused me to collapse, but it could have been the heat. We had been rushing around."