A 14-year-old girl who helped save the life of her neighbour who was badly burned in a bonfire accident has been honoured at South East Coast’s Ambulance Service NHS Trust’s (SECAmb) annual awards ceremony.

Rebecca Potts, from Chatham, rushed to help Julie Clarke after the accident which happened on May 30 this year.

Rebecca quickly called 999 and acted swiftly to alert off-duty SECAmb clinicians and fellow neighbours Emma and Paul Webber. Rebecca then helped the pair tend to Julie and also comforted Julie’s two scared young children before further assistance arrived.

Rebecca, who was 13 at the time, remained calm during the emergency and has been praised by all those involved.

Julie, 40, who attended the awards for SECAmb’s east region, said she was delighted Rebecca had been recognised for her actions.

She said: “Emma and Paul were absolutely brilliant and Rebecca was my little lifesaver.”

The Walderslade Girls’ School pupil, who received her award from SECAmb Chief Executive Paul Sutton, said: “I’ve had some emergency training as I am in the army cadets but this was obviously the real thing.

"I was lucky Emma and Paul were in and could help. What I had done hadn’t really sunk in until today. It’s just good that Julie is OK.”