TWO pupils from Worcester have been recognised for their act of good citizenship after going to the aid of an elderly woman who fell and broke her leg.

Melissa Bowen and Chelsea Hughes, both pupils at Nunnery Wood High School, comforted the pensioner, believed to be in her 80s, when she fell into a ditch.

They also asked two other people to call for an ambulance and went to get help from a teacher.

Today, they were presented with Good Citizen Awards by West Mercia Constabulary for their efforts.

Melissa, aged 12, of London Road, described the sequence of events. She said: "Chelsea had left her coat at school at the end of the day and so we went back for it.

"On the way there we heard a woman crying out for help. We saw her at the bottom of a ditch. A bone was sticking out of her leg and there was blood everywhere. While we were scared, we comforted her and then went for help. We didn't have our phones on us, so we asked two other pupils who were passing by to call for an ambulance.

"Our teacher, Mr Pearman, came back with us and the ambulance arrived soon after."

The two girls later sent the woman a card and some flowers, but, sadly, she died three days after the fall.

Chelsea, of Liverpool Road, Ronkswood, also aged 12, said: "We thought she was recovering, so it was a shock when we were told she had died.

"I am surprised we are getting an award for what we did - we just acted on impulse."

Thirty-four children from Worcestershire were presented with awards by Supt Rod Reynolds from South Worcestershire Division and Jacqui Allen of Worcestershire Local Education Authority in a ceremony at County Hall in Worcester.

Sgt John Dickinson, who organises the awards, said: "The young people who have been recognised today have all contributed significantly to their communities through acts of generosity, courage and good citizenship.

"West Mercia Constabulary is proud to be able to give them all this well-deserved

recognition."

The overall winner of the Good Citizen of the Year title will be announced at a gala award evening in October and the recipient will be presented with a trophy and cash.

THE 34 GOOD CITIZEN AWARD WINNERS ARE:

Jennie Avery, aged 18, from Droitwich, Jacob Blasdale, aged seven, from Bromsgrove, Ruby Richards, aged nine, from Kidderminster. Triplets Adam, Aaron and Keiran Ridewood, aged nine, from Kidderminster, Kiah Bridle, from Kidderminster, Nakita Windridge, from Kidderminster.

Kirsty Milward, from Redditch, Nic Parkes, aged 15, from Rubery, Lauren McClure, aged 15, from Tenbury Wells. Sarah Denyer, aged 17, from Bromsgrove, Adam Gordon, aged 13, from Pershore, Rebecca Cunningham, aged 18, from Pershore, Peter Everitt, aged 17, from Pershore, Lucy Jones, aged 17, from Pershore.

Penelope Jane La-Borde, aged 16 and Alexandra Kimberly, also 16, both from Bewdley, Sandie Woodhouse, aged 16, from Bewdley, Chris Edwards, aged 16, from Bewdley. Mark Goodyear, aged 15, from Bewdley, Bethan Kuriger, aged 17, from Redditch, Melissa Bowen, aged 12 and Chelsea Hughes, aged 12, both Worcester.

Mark Burston, from Stourport-on-Severn, Daniel Stevens, James Cronin, Ali O'Sullivan, Ollie Phillips, Jamie Walsh, all from Stourport -on-Severn. Graham Rooke, aged 16, from Alcester, Chris Bevington, aged 18, from Redditch and Tim Bevington, aged 16, from Redditch, and Claire Cardus, aged 16, Redditch.