TWO Kidderminster men who helped to rescue a mother and her three-year-old son from a Kidderminster house fire have been commended for their actions.

George Smith and Kevin Shurmer were presented with Society for the Protection of Life certificates at Kidderminster Fire Station, for helping to save Vicky and Anthony Lavelle from their blazing home in 2002.

The two men were neighbours in Usmere Road.

Mr Shurmer saw smoke and kicked the front door down but was unable to get to the bedroom where Vicky was stranded with her son.

Mr Smith climbed on the shoulders of another man and plucked the boy from his mother's grasp before she lost consciousness.

Their certificates were presented by Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Frank Norton. Firefighters from Kidderminster's Blue Watch, who were called to tackle the fire, also attended the ceremony.