AMBULANCE staff were so impressed with two north Wiltshire youngsters who kept their cool when coping with an emergency they have presented them with special achievement awards.

Rachael Purser, aged 12, from Corsham, dialled 999 to get help for her mum.

Director of operations Paul Gates was working with ambulance crews that day and attended the scene. He said: "Rachael found her mum collapsed and, when she was unable to contact her father, calmly rang 999. She followed the operator's instructors and put her mum in the recovery position.

"Rachael remained calm and understanding throughout. She is a credit to her mum."

George White, aged 10, from Hullavington, kept his little sister, other younger siblings and the au pair who was looking after them all calm after his sister cut her head in an accident.

The ambulance controller who passed on advice said: "He was one of the best callers I had had to deal with in a long time."