A 10-year-old boy from the Liverpool city region has been hailed a hero after saving his mother's life using a technique he learned on a school trip.
Quick-thinking Joseph Jones sprang into action and used the Heimlich manouevre on his mum mum Shirley as she choked when a piece of pork.
And after performing the first aid technique to clear his mum's air passage, he put her in the recovery position and phoned for an ambulance.
Three days earlier Joseph, a Year 5 pupil at Ashurst Primary school in St.Helens, attended a day-long "Crucial Crew" course.
The courses run by St Helens Council, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service and the Merseyside Police see youngsters given a series of confidence- building lessons.
Joseph was taught how to perform various first aid techniques including the Heimlich manoeuvre, and how to be a good citizen and contribute towards crime prevention.
His mother Shirley Graham, 46, explained how he used his skills as she tucked-into a meal of pork salad at their home in St Helens, Merseyside.
The drama began when she realised that a piece of the meat had lodged in her throat and she could not breathe.
Mother-of-two Shirley said: "At first I told myself to relax and it would be okay, but it wasn't. I was struggling for and could not talk or get my breath.
"My natural reaction was to jump up and run to the front door for fresh air but that did not help either.
"I was going weak and fell to my knees. I was really panicking and fighting for breath but it was no good and I thought I was going to pass out.
"But then Joseph came up behind me and forced me to bend forward. Then he slapped me twice on the back.
"Then he stood behind me and grabbed me round the waist and as he heaved me up I wretched and the meat came out of my mouth.
"He was very calm and matter-of-fact about it all.
"I've seen it in the films but I'd no idea that he had even learned how to do this Heimlich manoeuvre.
"He really saved my life and I am so proud of him. If it wasn't for him I would not be here today.
"He is my hero and I'm delighted that he is getting this official recognition from his school and the fire service."
In recognition of Joseph's life saving actions he has received a certificate trophy at St.Helens Fire Station, where he had a tour of the fire station and a ride in a tender.
Joseph is the first recipient of the "Captain's Cup" established by the St Helens Crucial Crew steering group.
Plucky Joseph, 10, said: "I panicked a bit at first but then I just remembered what I'd been taught on the course.
"I got behind my mun and bend her forward and reached round with my hands in front of her under her tummy like they taught us on the first aid course and it worked first time.
"It was a bit harder to do than I thought. We had only practiced on a Teddy bear on the cours so it was different doing it on my mum.
"She's a lot heavier than a Teddy bear.
"Everyone keeps saying how brave I am, I just knew I had to help mum quickly and I'm proud of what I did."
St Helens Council Crucial Crew trainer Steve Chesworth said:" Joseph is a shining example of what can be achieved through basic first aid training.
"We are delighted to recognise he achievement in saving his mother's life. We are all very proud of him."
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