A BINMAN was last night being hailed a hero after saving a toddler's life.

Paul Thompson was on his rounds when a distraught woman ran towards him carrying an unconscious girl, begging for his help.

Mr Thompson cleared the two-year-old's airways and got her breathing again before paramedics took over.

He said: "I'd like to think I just did what anyone would do but I'm pleased to have been able to help and delighted that the child is alive and well."

The 34-year-old was part of a three-man crew working their regular route in Middlesbrough last Thursday when the drama unfolded.

Just after 11am the woman ran out of a house in Melsonby Avenue, in the Netherfields area of the town, carrying the child.

While her grandmother, Anne Tierney, was looking after her, two-year-old Farrah Appleby suffered a seizure caused by a viral infection.

Mr Thompson rang 999 and laid Farrah in the recovery position. He then moved her tongue, which was blocking her airways, before an ambulance crew took over.

She was taken to James Cook University Hospital before being later released.

"I was quite shocked when the woman came out of the house and the child did not look in a good way at all," he said.

"Then instinct just kicked in. We're all taught first aid, and it just came to me automatically that I needed to make sure the child's airways were clear."

Mrs Tierney, 56, said: "I have never seen anyone have a fit before, I just didn't know what to do. She was lifeless, I thought she was going to die. I was in a panic. I picked her up and ran outside with her in my arms screaming."

Farrah's mother, Anne Marie Tierney, 27, added: "Nobody in the street knew what to do and if it wasn't for Paul she would have died.

"He's definitely a hero, I don't know what would have happened if he hadn't been there."

Middlesbrough Council Chief Executive, Ian Parker, said Mr Thompson would be nominated for a Royal Humane Society award for his life-saving actions.

"This was clearly a terrifying situation which could have ended in tragedy," said Mr Parker.

"I can only commend Paul for calmly assessing what needed to be done and almost certainly saving this child's life.

"He can rightly be proud of himself and the family owe him a debt of gratitude."

A spokeswoman for the North-East Ambulance Service confirmed that paramedics were called to an address in Middlesbrough on Thursday, June 9 following a 999 call reporting a child who had slipped into unconsciousness.

"Paul's quick reactions at the scene show just how important even basic first aid skills can be," she said.

"The North-East Ambulance Service would encourage anyone who gets the opportunity to attend a first aid course to do so."