Boy who saved mum's life brings Christmas to town

Jacob held his mum's hand until paramedics arrived

An eight-year-old boy who saved his mum's life by calling an ambulance when she collapsed at home has brought Christmas to his home town.

Jacob had the honour of switching on the lights in Loughborough on Friday after his mum Hollie's medical emergency earlier in October.

Hollie, who is due to have surgery after she was treated for septic shock - the most severe complication of sepsis - has described her son as "my hero".

His bravery was recognised by Charnwood Borough Council, which chose him as the winner of the Light up Loughborough competition for his "quick-thinking and bravery".

"I don't think he realises what he did and how important it was," Hollie told the BBC.

Septic shock is a life-threatening condition that happens when a person's blood pressure drops to a dangerously low level after an infection.

Hollie said the condition "came as a shock in that moment" - but Jacob knew exactly what to do.

He called the emergency services and let them into the home so that they could take care of his mum.

Jacob was a guest of honour at Loughborough's Christmas lights switch-on

Hollie said: "He told me he was scared but he held my hand and sat with me until the ambulance came.

"He was watching it the whole time, he didn't take his eyes off me.

"Jacob is a star and I couldn't be happier for him.

"He'll never know how grateful I am that he called the ambulance for me, but he knows how proud I am of him for being such a brilliant boy."

Jacob said he was sad and scared when he witnessed his mum collapsing, adding: "It was hard to see mum that way, but I used courage."

His dad Chris, who also switched on the lights in 1998, said he could not be prouder of his son.

The 41-year-old added: "He makes me proud every day, but that was an amazing thing that he did."