A BRAVE couple have told how they saved their neighbours from their blazing home.

Laura Bryant, 26, and Mark Robinson, 29, woke at 3am to see neighbour David Potts and his young daughter, Amy, trapped by a fire in an upstairs bedroom.

While Miss Bryant phoned 999, her boyfriend went to their house, put a ladder against the wall and climbed up.

Mr Robinson said: "I was able to lift Amy through the narrow top section of the window. But there was no way David would fit through, so I gave him a hammer to smash his way out.

"They were both covered in thick black soot and David was very disorientated and kept asking where Amy was.

"I did not think about what I was doing, which is a good thing, because I'm actually scared of heights. All I wanted to do was help and I am just glad they are both okay."

Fire crews arrived quickly at the house in Hylton Street, Houghton-le-Spring, near Sunderland.

Miss Bryant said: "When the fire brigade arrived, they said they did not know how anyone had got out because of the extent of the damage.

"You do not think at the time that you are saving someone's life, you just get on and do what you have to do."

Mr Potts and his daughter were taken to Sunderland Royal Infirmary after the fire, on Saturday morning. Mr Potts was last night being treated for smoke inhalation and was said to be comfortable. The hospital declined to give Amy's condition.

The fire may have been caused by an electrical fault.