A COOL-HEADED little boy knew exactly what to do when his grandad fell down unconscious in front of him in an isolated wood.

Paul Rowling, who was only six at the time, calmly cleared Ken Robson's airwaves so he could breath properly, put him in the recovery position and reassured him when he came round.

He then ran shouting for help through the wood so his dazed and confused grandad could be carried back home. Paramedics then took him to hospital.

It was later discovered that Mr Robson, 74, of Carlton Drive, Thornaby, Teesside, had suffered a minor stroke.

Mr Robson said he will always be very grateful to his little hero. And next month Paul will receive a national St John Ambulance Young First Aider of the Year Award for his prompt action, which may have saved his grandfather's life.

Mr Robson said: "I owe Paul for the rest of my life. I was amazed when I heard what he did.

"If he hadn't stayed with me and got help, anything could've happened. I don't remember a thing about what happened. I was confused and could easily have wandered off into the river and drowned."

Paul, now aged seven, learned his first aid as a Badger - a member of the young St John Ambulance section.

His father Geoffrey, of Whitehouse Road, Thornaby Green, said: "I'm very proud of Paul. He did exactly what he was taught."

l A dog saved a family from its burning home by biting its sleeping owner on the arm. Lassie, a 12-year-old mongrel, had barked herself hoarse as smoke engulfed the kitchen and living room at the Waddell family home in Bedlington, Northumberland.

The dog bit Aaron Waddell, 25, who was asleep in the living room, and then dragged him off the chair. He managed to alert his parents sleeping upstairs.

Mr Waddell, who was on leave from the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, based at Catterick, North Yorkshire, said:"Lassie saved our lives."