A BLACKBURN youngster is being hailed a hero after he leapt into action when his best pal was in an accident.

Faisal Khan watched in horror as his friend Ashby Young came crashing off his bike after being in collision with a car on Tuesday evening.

As blood poured from seven-year-old Ashby's head Faisal remained calm and saved valuable time with his plan of action.

Faisal, who is nine, and Ashby were riding their bikes with a group of friends when the accident happened on the corner of Stonyhurst Road and Oakenhurst Road.

"I just thought, 'Oh no,' when I saw Ashby," said Faisal, of Whittaker Street. "I shouted to our friends to go and get Ashby's mum and I stopped this taxi and told the driver to call an ambulance."

By the time Ashby's mum Annette Conroy had arrived from the family home on Denville Road Ashby had been ferried by ambulance to Blackburn Royal Infirmary.

"I got to the infirmary about half an hour after the accident with my husband and I saw Ashby in a cubicle waiting to be seen by a nurse," said Annette. "His shirt was full of dried blood and he just broke down in tears when he saw me."

After being cleaned up and given a routine check-up Ashby was allowed home a couple of hours later. "I was so relieved he was all right, I really panicked and feared the worse when I found out," said Annette. "He was knocked down about two years ago but that time he broke his leg and was traumatised. He was shaken up this time but otherwise OK."

The next time Annette saw Faisal -- who has been best pals with Ashby since they both started St Barnabas Primary on Oakenhurst Road -- she gave him a big hug. "I am so proud of him," she said. "You have to be careful with head wounds and Faisal acted brilliantly.

"He is a hero."

A spokesman at the Blackburn Ambulance Station was also quick to praise the actions of Faisal.

"If it hadn't been for him remaining cool, calm and collected there might have been a delay before help got to Ashby," said the spokesman. "Head injuries such as Ashby's must be seen to as soon as possible and Faisal's prompt action in getting help when needed was invaluable to Ashby."