TWO schoolgirls are to be honoured for their quick-thinking action which helped to save the life of a 56-year-old Leigh grandmother.

Westleigh High first year pupils Ashley Galvin and Chloe Seddon were visiting Mrs Theresa Hammond at her new home in Nel Pan Lane, Leigh, during a school holiday last week when she had a fit and collapsed.

While one of the 11-years-olds ran to the nearby Tamar Stores for assistance the other stayed to care for her until help came. As a result both are to receive their school's Citizenship Trophy in December.

The former childminder, who is visited by many local children, and known as "Mother Theresa" said she suffered an epileptic fit while in the kitchen of her new bungalow home and blacked out, banging her head on the floor.

She said: "The girls action in getting help saved my life. They are only 11 years old but are very level-headed. How many other children of that age would have had the presence of mind to seek help and not panic and run away?

"I have nothing but praise for the girls and can't thank them enough. I was very lucky they called or I could have been on the floor all day until my husband, Peter, came home. They stayed until a friend and the paramedics arrived."

Theresa, moved three weeks ago from her former home in Congressbury Road, where local children met up during school holidays to play games.

When she moved to her new home, a quarter of a mile away, she received gifts from both girls. In a telephone-address book Ashley had written: "I wish you was back around our road. It's not just me who misses you, everybody does."

Theresa, who has five grand children, said: "I used to be a child minder and love childen, so I didn't mind local youngsters coming to the house during the holidays to play games. At least their parents knew where they were. They say I'm like a mother to them all.

"When I left anyone would have thought I was going to Spain not just around the corner.

"Since the incident it's lovely that both girls have called most days to see how I am.

"I would also like to thank the shop assistant who called the ambulance, my friend Veronica Brown and the paramedics who treated me."

The girls said: "All we care about is that Mrs Hammond is OK."

Head teacher Mr John Pout said: "I was delighted to hear that both pupils performed so heroically. We are very proud of them. They showed commendable maturity.

"We shall be presenting them with the School Citizenship Trophy and certificate in December."