A TEENAGER who dedicated her life to caring for others after paramedics saved her sister was today preparing for war with Iraq.

And the mother of Aly-Joy Haworth, who is just 4ft 10ins tall, spoke of her fears for her little "angel on the frontline" after she was sent to Kuwait in her first army posting.

The 18-year-old, who grew up in Great Harwood, is a medic for the 16th Corp Support Medic Regiment with the Paratroopers and has been preparing for war since February 20.

Aly-Joy, a former pupil of St Augustine's High School, Billington, had a life-changing experience when she was just 11-years-old. Her sister Sian was struck by meningitis and slipped into a semi-coma.

Paramedics who came to the family home saved Sian's life -- showing a dedication and professionalism which inspired Aly-Joy to become a paramedic herself.

Her commitment resulted in her joining the Army at 17 so she could get early training -- civilian paramedics are only recruited from the age of 21.

Her mother is distraught that Aly-Joy has now ended up in a war where deadly chemical and biological weapons could be used. Stephanie Haworth, 50, of James Street, Great Harwood, is a former Labour Party activist, and said she will not stop believing the war is wrong.

She has marched many times in protest against the war. She said: "She rang on Monday. She wanted us to know that she loves us and we told her the same.

"We will now possibly not speak to her until she comes home.

"I feel sick with worry, she is right in the front line.

"Her middle name is Joy because of her beautiful smile, which lights up a room when she walks in.

"When she knew she was going to war her attitude was: don't worry I'm going to save lives not to take them."

Sister Sian, 20, a trainee teacher, said she was very proud of her sister and that she wanted her home as soon as possible.

She said: "She would really do anything for anybody. I think about her every day and I write to her as often as I can, I wish she was home."

Stephanie, a mother of three, added: "I would like people to offer up a prayer for the tiny medic with the big smile who cares so much, that she may come home safely and bring the rest of the troops with her and end what is every mother's nightmare."