An Ormskirk postie's been praised for his 'first class' service after he helped save an old lady's life in Lathom.

And modest Steve Inglis, 45, relived that day in mid-September on Tuesday afternoon with a special reception in the Mayor's parlour where he was awarded a coveted Borough shield by Noel Delaney.

Joined by his wife Tracy, Steve - a postmen for 29 years - recalled how he'd been working his usual round at noon time on 15 September when he saw milk still on the doorstep of a house. Moments later he dialled 999 after finding a pensioner in her back garden who'd been there for over 12 hours; she'd gone to collect her mobile phone and fallen on the way back to her home.

Said Steve: "She was recovering from a hip op. and hadn't the 'lift' to get herself up again."

Police and paramedics arrived and the lady was taken to hospital where she spent five days before making a good recovery and returning home where relatives are still caring for her.

Added Steve, a father of three of Redgate: "I dread to think what might have happened hadn't I'd found her."

He's been praised for his quick thinking with a parchment given alongside the shield noting his 'act of kindness and assistance to a member of the public which was above and beyond the call of duty.'