A youngster has been hailed a hero after helping rescue his mum after she got locked in her bedroom.

James Higgins, six, was up bright and early when he when he found that his mum, Emma, had become locked in her bedroom because of a faulty door latch.

Quick-thinking James, who lives with his family in Milton Road, Gillingham, dialled 999 and spoke with Nikki Smart at the Kent Police force communications centre who arranged for firefighters to attend and free Emma.

She said: "My husband was working away for the week and I had explained to the boys not to let the bedroom door shut because the latch was faulty but my three-year-old, Lewis, accidentally let it slam and suddenly I was locked in my bedroom with both my boys on the other side of the door."

"James got the landline phone and dialled 999 and spoke to the police.

"It made me really proud to hear how calm he was on the phone.

"He then dragged some furniture round to the front door to climb on so he could reach the latch to let the firefighters in when they arrived. "He really is my little hero."

When the crews from Medway fire station arrived they used force to open the bedroom door and reunite Emma with James and Lewis.

Nikki Smart, the Kent Police call taker who spoke to James, added: "I was really impressed with how grown up and brave James was.

"It was a very stressful situation for a very young man to be in but he was brave, he looked after his brother and listened to everything I told him to help let the firefighters in and rescue his mum."

James Sanderson Medway fire station crew manager added: "This young lad did a fantastic job, well beyond what you would expect of a six-year-old.

"He patiently waited inside the property for our arrival and managed to remain extremely calm through this frightening time.

"He was very organised, leading us to where his mum was trapped and reassuring his younger brother throughout. James should be very proud of himself - he is a real credit to his parents.

"It is important that parents and guardians tell their children at an early age that 999 is a number to be used in emergencies and to give an example of what that might be, so that when situations like this arise they know what to do, like James did."

The incident happened on the morning of Saturday, March 20.