A JUNIOR soldier from Atherton who tried to save the life of an elderly man who collapsed has been given a senior military commendation.

Last August, 17-year-old Jamie Hilton, who was halfway through his military training at the prestigious Army Foundation College in Harrogate, went to the aid of the man who collapsed and stopped breathing outside tearooms in the North Yorkshire town.

Former Hesketh Fletcher High pupil Jamie had just completed a St John Ambulance first aid course and put his resuscitation skills into practice until paramedics arrived.

"I was collecting money for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution with some of my friends from the College when we heard someone shout," said Jamie.

"We turned round and saw a man lying on the ground. I had just finished my first aid course the week before and so it was still fresh in my mind. My friend, Junior Corporal Steven Teale, helped me try and resuscitate the man while two of our other friends kept the crowd back.

"I got a letter from his wife thanking me and telling me that, sadly, he had died in hospital. She said he was a Burma Campaign veteran and had served with the 22nd Battalion The Cheshire Regiment. It was a coincidence because I am a member of the Burma Company at the Army Foundation College."

Jamie was presented with an Adjutant General's Commendation for his actions by Major General Sebastian Roberts, the General Officer Commanding London District.

He received it at the Army Foundation College Graduation Parade where he was one of 400 soldiers who had successfully completed the year-long course of military training and vocational education.

He will now move on to the second more specialist phase of training.