Paperboy in line for award after riding to rescue

Daniel Lomholt-Welch was delivering papers to a private retirement housing complex in Haddington when he discovered Francis Wallace on the floor of a communal corridor.

"I could see that her shoes had come off and she wasn't speaking. Her eyes were closed. I called out and I checked the manager's office but there was no-one there," the 13-year-old said.

When she failed to respond Daniel ran back to his bike and pedalled to the police station.

He recognised a man waiting at the bus stop and explained what had happened, who in turn ran into the station and alerted the police.

Daniel said: "The police got in their car and I cycled back. By the time I got there they were looking after her.

"The police officer thanked me for coming to get them and told me that it could have been a lot worse if I hadn't found her.

"It was pretty frightening because I couldn't tell how badly injured she was. I'm glad she is okay."

Although she did not require hospital treatment at the time, Mrs Wallace later deteriorated and was taken from the Knox Court apartments to hospital. She is still recovering but her condition is not thought to be serious.

Daniel's mother Isabelle, 42, said she was very proud of her son. She said: "When he came bounding through the door on Monday morning he said 'I've saved an elderly woman's life this morning'. I thought he'd come off his bike at first."

Mrs Lomholt-Welch said she and her husband didn't think any more of it until they heard Daniel was being considered for a bravery award yesterday.

She added: "He's only 13 and he was on his own but he kept a cool head and brought help quickly. We're enormously proud of him."

A spokesman for Lothian and Borders Police praised Daniel's actions, adding: "He will now be considered for a Meritorious Award nomination."