A LANCASHIRE Telegraph paperboy who helped rescue pensioners from a burning building has been named as one of the UK's top doorstep deliverers.

Shakeeb Ali, 15, of Whitehead Street, Blackburn, was chosen as one of two winners of the national News Deliverer Merit Award in a competition organised by the National Federation of Retail Newsagents (NFRN).

Shakeeb was out on his round when he raised the alarm before going into Devonport Court sheltered housing, Preston New Road, Blackburn, to help staff get the elderly residents to safety.

He was presented with a trophy and a certificate at a Gala Awards dinner at the Metropole Hotel, Birmingham.

Shakeeb told NFRN's representatives that it was an honour to get the award and said: "I am really pleased to have won the award and really happy about it.

"I was only ever doing my job and just did all that I could to help the old people when I saw that fire."

The awards aim to recognise excellence in the newspaper retail sector and Shakeeb was nominated by former Blackburn with Darwen councillor for Shear Brow Suleman Khonat.

Mr Khonat owns the Johnson Street newsagents where the youngster worked for four years.

Mr Khonat said there were several reasons why he nominated him, the first being his role in helping the elderly people escape Devonport Court, almost three-years-ago.

And Mr Khonat also praised the talented amateur boxer for his attitude and willingness to turn up for work, even after a bruising night in the ring.

He added: "Shakeeb was with us for quite a long time. You employ these young people and they are soon gone but he stood by us and got up in all weathers.

"If he had been boxing and was sore he would still get up for work and do his deliveries.

"His qualities were such that customers he delivered to would come in to the shop and ask about him and how his boxing was going."

An NFRN spokesman said he was chosen for the award because of his attitude in general and the incident involving the care home showed him to be a "remarkable" young man.

Back in June Shakeeb, a member of Audley Amateur Boxing Club, put up a brave fight in a local bout against the highly talented Farhan Khan, younger brother of Olympic silver medallist Amir.