A SIX-YEAR-OLD boy is being hailed a hero after he saved his little brother from drowning in a hotel swimming pool.

James McEvoy did not hesitate when he saw Jacques, four, fall in at the 6ft end - even though he has only recently learned to swim himself.

Jacques, who cannot swim at all, sank to the bottom of the pool at the Hotel Delfin Verde, Alcudia, Majorca.

The boys' mother, Suzanne Gray, 36, watched in horror from her balcony 200 yards away, unable to do anything to help.

But James saved the day by grabbing a lifebelt, diving into the pool and pulling Jacques to the surface.

He then put the belt over his brother's head, by which time Suzanne had arrived at the pool to pull them both in.

The relieved mother, of Hetton-le-Hole, Wearside, said: "What James did was fantastic and Jacques and I think he's a hero.

"It is all the more amazing because he has only just learned to swim himself.

" It was only a fortnight before we went away that he started to swim unaided.

"I dread to think what would have happened if James hadn't jumped in."

The accident happened early in the morning before most people in the hotel were awake.

The hotel manager gave James a certificate of commendation and had a special medal struck for him.