A Gazette paperboy has been hailed a hero after he helped a pensioner who had collapsed.

Quick-thinking Chris Tedford, 14, was near the end of his afternoon paper round yesterday (Wednesday) when he spotted something wrong at 83-year-old Frances Gray's home a few hundred yards from his own.

Chris, a pupil at Tendring Technology College, said: "I went in through the gate and saw the door was slightly ajar. I looked in and saw she was not in sitting in her normal place.

"I shouted for her and then I heard tapping. I went round the back and found she had collapsed in the garden and could not get up. I tried to get her up but she was too heavy.

"I rang my dad and stayed with her until he came and we carried her into the living room and waited for her son, David, to come.

"I think she had collapsed and could not get up again."

Modest Chris said: "I am just glad I was there. If not, she could have been there for quite a long time."

His proud father, Mark, of Walton Road, Kirby-le-Soken, said: "He was brilliant - he was so brave. She could have been there for ages."

And Mrs Gray's grateful son, David, said today: "I can't thank him enough. She would have laid there until I got home from work."

A thankful Mrs Gray, who has previously suffered from a stroke, was back on her feet today.

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