A FIVE-YEAR-OLD girl was hailed a heroine yesterday after she leapt into a pond to save a toddler neighbour.

Geordie Gray, three, was under the water and would have drowned but for brave Melissa Chapman.

She ran into the water up to her waist and grabbed the terrified youngster, lifting him from the water and dragging him to the side.

Geordie presented Melissa with a Swingball game at a special school assembly held in her honour.

And now she has a little shadow wherever she goes because the smitten youngster refuses to leave his rescuer's side.

Melissa's mother, Julie Ord, 23, of South Shields, South Tyneside, said: "I didn't know Melissa knew about the dangers of water but she knew exactly what to do."

The accident happened as a group of children played near their homes.

A group of youngsters, aged three to nine, wandered into a neighbour's back garden, but Geordie tripped and fell in the pond.

Melissa was first to react, wading into the centre of the pond and pulling out her playmate.

Geordie's mother, Donna, who has three older children, said: "I cannot thank Melissa enough for what she did, it was very brave.

"They were close before this but now they are inseparable. Geordie wants to be with Melissa all the time and she is happy to have him there."

"I was so pleased that the school held an assembly in Melissa's honour, she deserves to be recognised for what she did. But for her I am sure I would have lost my little boy."