A BLACKBURN pensioner today thanked her paper boy for saving her life after she lay stranded on her bathroom floor for nearly two hours.

Quick-thinking paper boy Anthony Hulme, 15, called for help after hearing Lillian Sleigh's screams as she lay on the bathroom floor.

Mrs Sleigh, of Lower Ashworth Close, Blackburn, became stricken when she fell out of her wheelchair at around 6.30am on Tuesday.

After being on the floor for nearly two hours, she began to scream and call out for help.

Anthony happened to be delivering her morning newspaper when he heard Mrs Sleigh's screams from upstairs and ran to get help immediately.

Anthony, a year 11 pupil at Witton Park High School, said: "I was just delivering her paper when I heard her shouts. I could hear her through the letter box. She was crying and shouting 'Don't go - just stay'.

"I looked through the window but I couldn't see her. I think she was in the bathroom.

"I felt scared at first because I thought she was being harmed.

"I tried to open the door, but it was locked.

"I ran as quick as I could back to the newsagents and said that I thought someone was hurt and the police came."

A grateful Mrs Sleigh said: "I desperately needed help. I couldn't move because I was trapped underneath my wheelchair.

"I called to him to get help and shortly after four policemen and an ambulance arrived.

"I'd sincerely like to thank my knight in shining armour.

"I don't know what I'd have done if he hadn't have acted.

"It's likely that he saved my life. I hope he gets a medal.

"I have a sore knee but I'm lucky enough to be OK otherwise.

"I've been very shaken by the experience, but now I can also see the funny side of it."