A group of Hailsham teenagers saved the life of an elderly man they found collapsed in the road.

Reluctant heroes Dimitri Aitken, Jay Batchelor, Billy Cleaver and Connor Ward took off their jumpers to keep the frail man, who has Alzheimer's, warm.

The four, all pupils at Hailsham Community College, had just finished playing rugby for Eastbourne Rugby Club and were waiting to get the bus home when they spotted him slumped in a side street off the main road.

They tended to the man who was bleeding and confused, keeping him still and covering him with their jumpers to keep him warm. One of the teenagers called 999 whilst the others administered first aid.

They also managed to wave down a passing nurse while they looked after the man on January 19.

All of the boys stayed at the scene when paramedics arrived they helped to carry equipment and supported the man into the ambulance.

Sam Aitken, Dimitri's mother, said the parents of the four teenagers are all “very proud” of their actions.

She added: “I think it took a lot of courage to stop and help because kids are thought of so badly these days.

“Dimitri is now thinking about taking a first aid course.”

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Their actions have also been prised by the police and their headteacher Wealden District Commander Chief Inspector Gary Pike said: “I am extremely proud to be able to offer my thanks to these four young lads.

“From speaking to them, they feel slightly embarrassed with the attention as they believe anyone in their position would have done the same thing.

“However I would like to say that without their quick actions we could have been looking at a very different situation.”

Hailsham Community College Principle Phil Matthews added: “The boys' actions have demonstrated the best example of community responsibility, which is a topic we regularly highlight with all our students.

“I am incredibly proud of them and they provide a positive role model for other young people both within the college, and in the wider community.”