THREE brave teenagers saved the life of their friend after remembering a biology lesson they had at school.

Joel Massey was playing football with Sam Seaborn, Rhodri Whittaker and Ben Stevens near his home in Much Marcle when he suddenly collapsed. The 14-year-old keen mountain biker suffers from Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome - a condition that causes the heart to beat abnormally fast.

Joel, who enjoyed a bike ride with his friends moments earlier, suffered a cardiac arrest and his heart stopped beating for more then 10 minutes.

However, his life was saved by the quick-thinking actions of Sam, Rhodri and Ben - who are all 16.

Sam ran for help, Rhodri dialled 999 and Ben started performing CPR until an ambulance arrived.

Paramedics used a defibrillator to restart Joel's heart and he was taken to Birmingham Children's Hospital.

Joel is expected to make a full recovery following the scare that happened at the at the start of the Easter holidays.

Sam, Rhodri and Ben have since all received certificates for their bravery and have visited Joel in hospital.

"I really can't remember any of it," said Joel.

"I remember earlier that day, but all I know from what happened is what I have been told.

"It has been frustrating being stuck in hospital now because I feel fine.

"I can't believe what the boys did - I am indebted to them really.

"They saved my life.

"I think it has brought us all a lot closer."

Joel was diagnosed with WPW when he was 13 which means that he occasionally suffers from heart palpitations.

In very rare cases, sufferers can be at risk of cardiac arrest, but it usually affects people much older than Joel.

Ben carried out CPR and mouth to mouth resuscitation after remembering a lesson he had at John Masefield High School.

"We had a bike ride and stopped to play a game of football when Joel suddenly collapsed," said Ben.

"We thought he was mucking about at first, so kicked the ball at him, but he didn't react.

"We knew then that something was seriously wrong.

"I think we just did what we did automatically, I don't think it really sunk in until Joel had been put in the ambulance.

"I had done some CPR as part of the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme and we had a lesson about the heart in biology last year, so I just did what I could.

"Joel was sick as well, so I knew we had to clear his airways and I did mouth to mouth."

Joel's mum Andrea, who is a nurse, said that he is very lucky to have such good friends.

"They saved his life, I hate to think what would have happened if he was on his own," she said.

"Everyone should learn how to do CPR because you never know when you'll need to use it."

Joel was due to have a cardiac ablation to repair his irregular heart beat before being allowed to go home.