Little Thomas Greenwell stayed cool and calm when his mother suffered a severe asthma attack at their Gillingham home.

The four-year-old called 999 to summon help and then comforted mum Nichola Boyle as they waited for the parademics to arrive.

Miss Boyle, 32, of Richmond Road, had just got out of the bath when she became breathless.

“Thomas came in and saw I was unable to speak and was really struggling,” she said. “He managed to get my inhalers and call the ambulance. He had seen me having an attack before, but there has always been somebody else around.

“This was the worst attack I have had and thankfully he must have taken in what to do. He even got me a bowl in case I was sick.”

Thomas took instructions from the operator and waited for the crew to arrive at their home.

And as the paramedics worked to regulate his mum’s breathing he rang his grandmother who immediately rushed around from her Chatham home.

Miss Boyle said: “Up until then he had kept calm, But when his nan came round he just burst into tears. It was like he was being a child again.”

Miss Boyle was kept in overnight at Medway Maritime Hospital while staff monitored her condition.

Quick-thinking Thomas, a pupil at Burnt Oak Primary School, has been recognised for his action, being presented with a framed certificate from Paul Sutton, chief executive of South East Coast Ambulance Service.

Miss Boyle has also nominated her son for a Pride in Medway award.

She said: “I just hate to think what would have happened if Thomas had not been there. Let’s just say he earned himself some extra pocket money.”

Do you know a local hero like Thomas who deserves recognition? If so, we want to hear from you.

To nominate someone for Pride in Medway, visit www.pridein.co.uk

Pride in Medway is sponsored by mhs homes, Medway Council, the University of Kent, Uniper, Southeastern, MidKent College and the Medway Messenger.