A PLUCKY schoolgirl has been praised by Ambulance Service chiefs for keeping a cool head and taking the right steps in an emergency at her Leominster home.

Charlotte Lowe, 13, came downstairs in the evening to find her mum Carol Johns, a diabetic, lying on the lounge floor in a deep coma.

Charlotte's stepfather Dave Meredith was out, so the brave Minster College girl, who has learning difficulties, tackled the crisis solo.

She checked her mum's pulse and breathing - alarmingly Carol appeared to have virtually stopped breathing. Charlotte dialled 999 on their mobile telephone.

She gave details, including the address, her mother's date of birth and condition to ambulance control. Charlotte maintained telephone contact as she was given instructions on what to do to aid 33-year-old Carol who also suffers from asthma.

As advised, the teenager turned her mum on her side and cupped her hand under Carol's chin to keep her head up.

"It was scary," said Charlotte with a shudder. She will forever remember her relief at the arrival of the ambulance crew at her home at Middlemarsh, Leominster - and their words of praise. "They said I was really brave and really good," said the youngster with a grin.

She said she had learned tips at school and at her former school, Lady Hawkins', Kington, on dealing with emergencies and felt it was 'really important' for all young people to know how to respond to such a crisis.

Carol, who had to spend seven days in hospital at Hereford after anaemia was diagnosed, said she was 'very proud' of Charlotte for coping so well during the drama.

Contact Pete Blench by e-mail at htnewsdesk@newsquestmidlands.co.uk