A schoolgirl became a hero when her quick actions saved the life of her grandmother.

Abby Brashier, nine, had spent the night at her grandmother Joan's house, in East Croydon, when she woke the next morning to hear her calling from the bathroom.

Mrs Brashier, 65, had collapsed behind the bathroom door, trapping her arm in a hot towel rail.

Quick thinking Abby, who was just eight at the time, dialled 999 and requested an ambulance, before ringing her parents to come and help.

And with the help of her brother Ben, six, Abby managed to get into the bathroom and free her grandmother's arm.

The Woodside Junior School pupil said: "I could hear her calling for me but the door was stuck, so I called 999 then rang my parents.

"I told them she had fainted and she had burned part of her body. I learned to call 999 from my parents and at school."

Mrs Brashier suffered severe burns in the accident that happened in April and has undergone 11 skin grafts on her arms and to the side of her body.

She said: "Abby was a very brave girl. I kept passing out, then coming round and calling out for her.

"She was only eight at the time and she was phoning the ambulance, speaking to them and then phoning my son Paul.

"She must have been petrified as she couldn't see me though it was probably a good thing.

"They were both great, but Abby was an exceptional child that day. I dread to think what would have happened if she hadn't been there."

Abby's mum, Karen was so proud of her actions she nominated her for Croydon Champions Act of Bravery award.

She said: "Abby is a really bright child and is quite level headed, we are very proud of her. She is a hero to all of us."