QUICK-THINKING schoolgirl Emily Roachford saved her mother's life when she suffered a severe asthma attack.

Brydie Roachford, 33, was taken ill so quickly she did not have time to use her inhaler.

So cool-headed Emily, seven, came to the rescue and pushed the medication into her mother's mouth in life-saving squirts.

She managed to phone her father, Simon, at work and even had time to make sure her brothers Harry, five and two-year-old James went to brush their teeth while she tended to their sick mum.

Once Mr Roachford arrived at the family home, at Raleigh Road, Norton, Stockton, ten minutes later, Emily acted as though nothing had happened and went off to school.

Mrs Roachford has made a full recovery and says she owes her life to Emily.

"I was so ill. I couldn't have got up if I tried," she said.

"If she hadn't done what she did, I would have died.

"She was amazing. She's very mature for a seven-year-old but, even so, I still wouldn't have expected her to be so calm.

Emily was treated to a family meal at her favourite takeaway as a big thank you from her parents.