FOUR Worcestershire people, including two children, have been recognised for their outstanding achievements and dedication by St John Ambulance.

Malvern St John Ambulance Cadets, Jonathan Winters, aged 14, and his sister Rebecca, 11, have been recognised for their swift actions earlier this year when their great-aunt collapsed at home.

On Friday, March 12, they were playing in their grandmother's garden when their great aunt collapsed at the top of the stairs.

They quickly helped to put their great aunt into the recovery position and Jonathan called the ambulance and gave very precise details as to what had happened and told the crew she was diabetic.

A St John Ambulance spokesman said: "This shows the importance of St John Ambulance training which can enable children to cope with a crisis and, through ongoing loyalty to our tradition, become good citizens for a lifetime."

The brother and sister received their awards at a special ceremony held at St John's House in Wyld's Lane, Worcester city centre, along with Cathleen Jennings, from the Kidderminster division, who was given a certificate for her 50 years service in St John Ambulance.

Mrs Jennings was also included in this year's Queen's Birthday Honours List, in which she received the MBE in recognition of her many years of service to the community in a number of voluntary organisations. She will be going to Buckingham Palace later in the autumn to be invested.

Her husband, Frederick Jennings, was presented with a Certificate of Merit in recognition of his long and loyal service to St John Ambulance.

The Commissioner for St John Ambulance, Worcestershire, Mervyn Brookes, and the Hon Lady Morrison, OStJ, county commander for St John Ambulance in Herefordshire and Worcestershire, handed out the awards.