WHEN trouble occurs, three- year-olds could make things more difficult - but not Freddie Payne.

The toddler leapt into action when his one-year-old brother Barnie stopped breathing during a play session.

As dad Chris performed CPR on Barnie, he asked little Freddie to go outside and knock on neighbours’ doors to find help.

As an ambulance arrived, quick-thinking Freddie also flagged down the paramedics and showed them how to get into the family’s well-hidden home, in New Town, Colchester.

The 45-year-old dad-of-two said: “I was making dinner in the kitchen and the boys were playing together.

“As they got right behind me I had a parental instinct to turn around and I saw Barnie was on the floor.

“As I picked him up his eyes rolled back.”

Barnie had experienced a reflux anoxic episode, which is a baby’s natural reaction to close off the airway when they experience trauma.

Mr Payne said: “He may have knocked his head on the floor - I picked him up and he was unresponsive.

“Freddie already realised something was going on but he was very calm.

“There was no panic, just sheer focus.”

It was Mr Payne who was eventually able to call for an ambulance, just as Barnie began to open his eyes.

Realising no neighbours were home, Freddie had made his way back to the house and began stroking his baby brother’s hand until he heard the ambulance arrive.

Mr Payne said: “As there is no direct access to the house, Freddie was waving at the paramedics to signal them over.

“They did lots of tests and the whole time Freddie was as good as you could get.

“He was offering the paramedics apples and showing them his toys.”

After checking Barnie over, medics were happy the one-year- old was stable but suggested the family should still visit hospital as a precaution after mum Emma got home from work in London.

Mr Payne said: “They have an incredible relationship, Freddie is always wonderful with his brother.

“I have had some pretty horrific things happen in my life and that was one of the scariest. But looking back it wasn’t as serious in the end.

“If it happens again, Freddie and I will know what to do.”