A GILLINGHAM man has been hailed a hero after rescuing a boy trapped by a blaze inside a derelict pub.

The boy, believed to be in a serious condition at a specialist burns unit, was saved by Michael Gough, 34, on Sunday.

Mr Gough had to battle past steel sheeting covering the windows of the former Sportsman pub in Eastcourt Lane, on the Twydall estate, to reach the terrified youngster, thought to be aged about 10.

Mr Gough's wife, Jacqueline, had been in the couple's back garden in Hartley Mews, opposite the empty pub, when she saw smoke and heard screaming.

Mrs Gough said: "I ran indoors to get Michael and he ran straight round to the pub while I called the emergency services."

Mr Gough, who heard screams as he ran to the building, said: "The windows of the property have got metal sheeting over them. I just ran round the back, pulled off the sheeting with my bare hands and could see the trapped boy.

"He was screaming that he was going to die, there was flames and smoke everywhere. I stepped into the building and managed to grab hold of him and pulled him out. It was just a natural reaction. I couldn't leave him in there.

"He was in a desperate state and was badly burned. My wife took over at that point. I'm just glad I got there in time, he has been a lucky boy."

Mrs Gough said she tried to calm the boy down and see how bad his burns were before an ambulance arrived and took him to East Grinstead burns unit.

She added: "If it wasn't for my husband, the boy could have died in the fire. He was trapped by the flames and the exit and was in a terrible state when he was rescued. As far as I'm concerned Michael is a hero. I'm so proud of him for saving the boy's life. He is lucky to be alive."

Police said the blaze was being investigated. Fire crews took an hour-and-a-half to bring the blaze under control.