A seven-year old Redruth girl has been commended for the vital part she played in saving an elderly neighbour's life.

Chelsea Opie, of Euny Close, Redruth woke her grandfather Stephen Gilbert in the early hours of the morning to alert him to a "ringing noise."

Realising it was an alarm, Mr Gilbert looked out of the window to see smoke pouring from a nearby house and an elderly lady standing outside.

As he watched, the woman, who was in a confused state, went back inside the house to lie down and wait for help.

Mr Gilbert ran out and fought his way through thick smoke to lead the woman to safety.

He asked her to reach out with her stick, which he was able to grab on to.

Meanwhile Chelsea's grandmother, Mrs Jeanette Gilbert, called the emergency services. With the help of her granddaughter, she kept the elderly lady warm as they waited for an ambulance to arrive.

On Friday Chelsea was commended by teachers at Pennoweth primary school and also gave an account of her exploits.

"She came along with mum into assembly and talked about what had happened. Mum filled in some of the details," said deputy head Julia Probst.

"We are all very proud of her. The other children listened quietly to her and were in awe of her. She is a very confident little girl."

Chelsea is in year three at the school having joined in September last year.