A schoolboy talked a suicidal woman down from a footbridge across a busy road.

John Fisher pupil Dominic McGeekie was just 15 years old when he came across a woman threatening to jump from a footbridge, 100ft (30m) above Coulsdon bypass.

Dominic gained the woman's trust and stopped her from leaping before raising the alarm after he spotted the woman on his way home from the gym.

His brave actions were honoured at the Croydon police borough commander's commendation ceremony on Friday, where he was awarded a commendation for outstanding courage in assisting a police officer with a woman attempting suicide.

Although unable to attend the ceremony himself because of a rugby trip to South Africa, his proud mum Trish joined PC Ball at the ceremony and collected the commendation on his behalf.

She said: "At the time he said he just did what he had to do to help her. He didn't mind that others walked by and didn't offer to help, as it would have been a distraction.

"He said he felt so scared she would let go, he didn't dare take his eyes off her. The shock didn't set in until he got home and told us all about it.

"He just wanted her to get some professional help. He was very smart and when he called the police he made sure he played the situation down, so the woman didn't panic.

"If anyone was going to do something like this, it would be him. I wasn't going to let him go on the rugby trip he is on because it was so expensive, but when I heard what he had done I was so incredibly proud I changed my mind."

Dominic now 16, spoke with the woman for about 25 minutes, gaining her trust and building a rapport with her before calling the police.

The woman was continually threatening to jump, but Dominic promised she would get the help she needed.

Even when PC Ball arrived at the scene, he stayed and helped talk the woman into coming down.