Aldwick's little Harley saves his nan

Harley Freeman helped ensure his nan received medical treatment after she collapsed on a footpath.

He coolly and calmly told paramedics the medical history of Sheila Taylor to help them give her the correct treatment instantly to ensure she made a complete recovery.

Mrs Taylor (70), of The Hamlet in Laburnum Grove, said: "If Harley had not been there, I would still be on the ground now.

"Not a lot of people walk along the path we were going through."

Harley's mother Lisa Taylor said: "Harley is my little hero. I am very proud of him."

Harley, who celebrated his fourth birthday on Monday, sprung into action when he was walking home to Countisbury Close with Mrs Taylor from the ABC Nursery on Aldwick Road about 1.30pm on a Tuesday.

Mrs Taylor's pace began to quicken for no reason as they went along a footpath which connects the two roads.

She collapsed without warning but managed to ask Harley to go to his next-door neighbour.

There was no reply so he went back to Mrs Taylor, only to find she had passed out. But Harley was seen walking along Countisbury Close on his own by another neighbour.

He took her to his nan, who was still on the ground. With the help of another neighbour, they managed to get her to Harley's home.

They contacted Lisa and her sister, Sarah, who rang 999.

The paramedics were quickly on the scene and were informed by Harley that Mrs Taylor was a diabetic who had suffered a mild stroke before Christmas. He also passed on details of his family.

This enabled them to begin testing her blood sugar level for potential problems.

She was admitted to St Richard's Hospital for an overnight stay. Further tests showed she had suffered from a low potassium level, which can cause delirium.

It is thought the range of medication she takes for her conditions, which also include high blood pressure, were the cause. She has made a full recovery.

Part-time clerical worker Lisa (33) arrived at the scene to find Harley had taken charge.

"I couldn't work out how the paramedics knew how my mum had diabetes. But when we got to the hospital, they told us what Harley had said to them.

"Harley had a difficult start in life. He was born three months early. I went through days of being told he would never live because he had fluid leaking on his brain.

"I was then told he wouldn't walk. He was late walking and he doesn't run or kick a football around like other boys.

"But he makes up for his lack of physical ability with his intelligence.

"Everything sinks in with him, even when you are not talking to him.

"The paramedics were absolutely amazed how much knowledge he has."

A South East Coast Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: "The family of this young boy must be very proud.

"As this case clearly shows, it is very important children are taught what to do in the case of an emergency because you never know when you may need help.

'As well as teaching children what number to call, it is also important they know their home address and the name and address of a close relative who could be called upon by the emergency services if necessary.'