A BUGLER fainted halfway through playing The Last Post at a Remembrance Day service and a 93-year-old former nurse was the first to her rescue.

Josie Harriott, 93, rushed from her seat in the Old Steine, Brighton, hopped over the two foot fence and helped treat the collapsed woman.

The Salvation Army picked up where the bugler left off, but she remained on the floor for nearly 20 minutes being treated by Mrs Harriott and St John’s Ambulance paramedics before being stretchered away.

Unlikely hero Mrs Harriott said: “I think it was just an automatic reaction – if something happens I just kick into gear. It’s just habit.

“She’s a wonderful bugler and I’ve got to know her by coming to the service every year.

“I didn’t want to interfere but I said “let me have a look at her”, I’ve got a bit of experience.

“It was an excellent service and it’s so nice to see the youngsters here too – it’s important people are remembered.”

The retired nurse's daughter added it was the fastest she’d seen her mother move in years.

John Costan, master of ceremonies, served the last of his 24 years service in Queens Road, Brighton, as an Army recruiter, and said the ceremony was a success despite the wobble.

He said any other event may have been cancelled after such an incident and he praised the work of the Salvation Army to keep the ceremony ticking over seamlessly.

“It’s a very important day for me as I lost a lot of friends,” he said.

“We were lucky the weather held and it went very well.”

Among those to lay wreaths were Caroline Lucas and Warren Morgan and the Green MP for Brighton Pavilion said: “It is, as ever, immensely emotional and everyone heading down here brings home how war affects everybody and the whole city coming together to promote peace and remember comrades.

“I wish the bugler well and I hope she makes a speedy recovery and the whole thing was dealt with extremely professionally.”

The council leader said: “As ever it was dignified and respectful and a fitting tribute to those who have fallen.

“It happens quite often [people collapsing], it’s physically exhausting standing for 30 minutes and I hope the bugler makes a speedy recovery.”

Mr Morgan too was feeling the effects, as he headed home instead of to the Town Hall with delegates, saying: “I can only stand up for so long before my back plays up.”