AN eight-year-old Vale boy's bravery in rescuing his mum from a blazing building has earned him a national award.

Damien Smith, of Harvington, saved his mother, Emily, when fire tore through their Leys Road home in March this year.

The boy's heroic act has made him one of just two children who will pick up Fisher-Price Rescue Heroes Awards at a ceremony in Manchester today (Thursday, September 5) - which has been designated National Rescue Heroes Day by the toy manufacturer.

Damien, together with a seven-year-old boy from Rochdale, will receive a trophy at Manchester Central Fire Station, as well as a selection of toys from Mattel. He has decided to have some footballs he and his school friends can use.

Both boys were nominated for their awards by their respective local fire brigades. In Damien's case, that was Hereford and Worcester's combined brigade.

Damien, a pupil of Harvington CE First School, remembered advice he had been given at school by visiting firefighters about what to do if fire broke out and acted on it when the family home caught light.

In a blaze that devastated the house, Damien bravely pulled his mum, 43, down the stairs, away from a burning bedroom, when she tried to enter, looking for her other children.

He then had the presence of mind to evacuate the house and get his mother to dial 999. Mrs Smith, who has five other children, admitted she owed her life to her son, who was looking forward to picking up his award. "He is my hero," she said, "I'm very proud of him.

"His award is very well deserved. When they told me about it, I could have cried."

She added: "When the firefighters went down to the school, he listened and took it into his head."