POLICE are praising the efforts of six-year-old Thomas Woodrow who helped them to rescue a woman locked in her home.

Officers were called to the address in Sheilds Crescent, Maidstone, when the woman became locked in her bathroom with her two-year-old daughter elsewhere in the house, unable to help.

All the doors to the house were locked and there was no way in except for a small open window.

Among the neighbours alerted to woman’s pleas for help were Michael Woodrow and his young son Thomas.

Seeing they could help, Thomas was lifted into the house through the window and was able to unlock the patio door to let in the police to come to the aid of the woman.

PC Trevor Bonnet, of Maidstone police, who attended the incident, said: “We would like to thank Thomas for all his help in aiding the rescue of the trapped woman.

"We were able to release her far more quickly than if we had had to wait for a locksmith, enabling us to take control of the situation and look after the lady and her small child, following the ordeal.”

Thomas, a pupil at Leeds and Broomfield School, enjoys rugby and cycling.