A CALL centre worker from Radcliffe rescued an elderly woman from her burning flat.

The pensioner was led to safety by Simon Larkin who raced into the smoke-filled first-floor apartment in Tennyson Avenue, Bury.

Unaware if anyone else was in the flat, the 30-year-old dashed back inside but was beaten back by thick smoke and flames.

Mr Larkin, who works as a customer service officer at 02 in Dumers Lane, Radcliffe, said: "I was in an off-licence when the owner was on the phone calling for the fire brigade as there was a fire next door.

"I ran into the flat and found the woman. She didn't have her hearing aid in and she couldn't hear me shouting for her to get out. In the end I had to literally drag her out.

"When she was safe I went back into the flat three times to see if there was anyone else in there."

Firefighters from Bury treated Mr Larkin and the elderly lady for smoke inhalation before they were taken to hospital. Mr Larkin was discharged after treatment although the woman was kept in for several days.