A CADET who managed to save a man's life has been recognised for his courage.

Oliver Seymour, from Colchester, was cycling through town when he came across a man laying in the street.

By performing CPR, paramedics said the 16-year-old had saved the man's life.

After his brave act, he was given the Highly Commended Citizen Award at the Colchester Youth Awards.

He said: "It was a couple of months ago, I was cycling on my own in Osborne Street.

"There was someone laying in between the crossings, I thought they had fallen but they just wouldn't move.

"He kept coming in and out of consciousness, I was talking to him and put him in the recovery position.

"I called for an ambulance and gave him CPR."

Oliver was trained by the Colchester Sea Cadets, he wants to go into the navy in the future.

He said: "I was really scared, I didn't know what to do.

"I have only had a few first aid lessons at the cadets. I just tried my best to help him.

"He kept tensing up and going really cold, I didn't know if something bad was going to happen."

Thankfully after a few cycles of CPR the man regained consciousness.

Oliver said: "The paramedics arrived and by then the man was in a better state, they managed to get him up and walking.

"I had tried my best, I was worried as his heart rate was going from fast to slow and it was panicking me.

"The paramedics congratulated me and said thank you, as a lot of people were walking by as they didn't know what to do.

"One person's actions can lead to more as when other people saw me with him, they started to help."

Oliver has just left St Helena School, and it was his former Head of Year who nominated him for the award.

He said: "I was really proud but a bit nervous, it was a great opportunity."