Damien, five, saves mum's life

Damien dialled 999 and asked for an ambulance.

Now Damien is in line for a special certificate of commendation which will be presented to him at the Conquest Hospital.

Damien is just five - his birthday was in January. But he listened with care when his mother, Michelle, explained that she could have a potentially life-threatening seizure at any time.

She showed him how to dial and how to ask for the ambulance service.

She made him learn his home address so that he could recite it without hesitation.

At Bexhill police station, where arrangements are being made for the presentation, Damien told the Observer: "When I came home from school I went into the garden with my mum.

"I went on the swing. I said 'Mum, can you push me...?'

"But mum fell down and had a seizure and smashed into the swing.

"So I rang 999 like mum had told me and asked for an ambulance."

Asked what the ambulance service said to him, Damien said: "They said 'Calm down!'"

Damien did as he had been asked. He then told the operator where he lived and told them that his mum had suffered a seizure.

Michelle, said: "The ambulance was there in three minutes and took me to the Conquest.

"I have only had the seizures for the last year and a half. They are still doing tests to see what is causing them.

"But they are 'grand mal'. I get no warning and they are severe. There is a risk that I will stop breathing. I have to go to hospital every time. They have to give me oxygen.

"There's just the two of us. We live on our own. I had explained it all to Damien.

"He did exactly as I had shown him.

"I am so proud of him."