Honour for Ludlow fire hero

A teenager from Ludlow who rescued a four-year-old boy and his mother from their blazing home has been honoured for his bravery and courage.

Tallon Kingsmill-Poole, 18, was doing some building work in the Holme Lacy area of Hereford when he noticed the fire.

He rushed in to rescue the pair before the flames could take hold.

The carpenter was presented with a courage award at the annual Pride of Herefordshire Awards.

He said today that he was incredibly proud and honoured to have been presented with such an award.

The teenager said: "The fire happened in April. I'd been outside doing some work when I noticed that a ground floor flat was on fire and I heard screams from inside.

"I kicked the door down and found a four-year-old boy screaming in the middle of his bedroom surrounded by flames. I'm six foot tall and the smoke was up to my neck but I managed to reach to him and take him outside to safety.

"His mother was asleep in the bedroom so I had to go back in again and rescue her. She didn't realise what was happening but I managed to get her outside to safety too. It was very hot and I couldn't see anything below my neck."

He added: "I didn't have time to think, I just did what I felt had to be done."

This is the fifth year the awards have been run by Herefordshire Council, NHS Herefordshire, the Herefordshire Partnership and the Hereford Journal.