TWO pupils at a primary school near Bromyard have been praised for rushing to the aid of their friend who was choking on a sandwich.

Ten-year-old Gedas Vaiciulis got into difficulty while eating a toasted sandwich at Bredenbury Primary School, prompting his classmates, Jake Webb, 11, and Archie Aldridge, 10, to help provide vital first aid.

The break-time heroes knew what they were doing after being taught life skills at the school.

Jake began the vital process by giving his friend 'back blows''. Thankfully, the lodged sandwich came out after the tenth attempt.

Gedas said: "A hard piece that I couldn't chew got stuck in my throat. I started coughing and I couldn't breathe.

"Archie went straight to the teacher and came straight back and got my drink, whilst Jake was doing heartstart on me. I spat some out, but the rest was cleared out by the water. By the time my teacher came, I was alright."

Loraine Coleman, co-ordinator and project manager for Herefordshire Heartstart, paid tribute to the two young pupils, saying they should be proud of their actions.

"Well done to Archie and Jake for remembering your heartstart skills; staying calm, correctly doing back blows and for going to get help," she said.

"It must have been very frightening for Gedas to be choking and not to be able to breathe. Your skills helped to save your friend’s life and you should be very proud of your achievements."

She says she provides life-saving support across the county with staff attending a full day instructor training session.

The schools programme involves the use of a DVD called Ordinary Day, lesson plans and training manikins, with teachers then explaining and demonstrating the various skills to the pupils.

Children are also given activity sheets and handouts to help them remember the skills.