Proud grandma Kath Smith reckons her teenage grandson is a "proper little hero" for coming to the rescue of an 81-year-old neighbour.

She praised Lee Smith, 15, of Colwell Road, Berinsfield, for his quick actions in raising the alarm after spotting Charles Lacey lying semi-conscious on a bed in his flat.

Lee, who regularly visits the pensioner, smashed a window so he could unlock the front door and raised the alarm with a community nurse who was visiting another flat in the block.

The nurse called an ambulance and Lee kept talking to Mr Lacey, telling him help was on its way.

Mr Lacey was rushed by ambulance to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, and is now recovering from his ordeal.

Mrs Smith, 66, of Evenlode Drive, Berinsfield, said: "Some kids would have just run away if they had seen Mr Lacey, but Lee showed his initiative.

"He's a proper little hero.

"Lee has been having his ups and down, like all kids. I think this is lovely."

Modest Lee said: "I'm not really a hero. I just did what I had to do. I'd have done it for anyone."

Lee, who has visited Mr Lacey twice in hospital, has known him for eight years and often calls round at the flat to do some gardening and to look after him.

Supt John Lowe, of Oxfordshire Ambulance Service, said: "The fact that he had the presence of mind to do what he did was impressive.

"He is a hero and a good example to other people."

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