A boy who saved his little brother from drowning said he knew what to do from watching television.

Fraser Strafford, seven, dived into a swimming pool and dragged out his two-year-old brother, Rory, who was face down under the water.

Now he has been rewarded for his bravery with a Scout honour.

Fraser, now eight, said: "I put my crisps down first and then jumped in after him.

"I pulled his face out of the water like I'd seen people do on the television and got him out.

"He was really white and his lips had gone blue."

Rory, who had jumped in the pool when mother Nancy's backed was turned, was shocked but soon recovered.

His mother, who lives in Ditchling, said: "Fraser jumped straight in after him without saying anything. If he hadn't done what he did this could have been a tragedy."

Rory jumped in a pool at a health club after copying two older children in May last year.

He had taken his armbands off because they were hurting him.

Nancy, who has two younger children, Euan and Lucinda, said: "Rory is fearless and goes at everything without thinking whereas Fraser is completely different. He's the responsible one who thinks things through."

Yesterday Fraser, who belongs to the 1st Ditchling Cubs, was given a Scout award for his quick-thinking.

Scores of Scouts and Cubs watched as he received the Chief Scout's Commendation for Meritorious Conduct from County President Sir Brian Barttelot.

It is the first time the national honour has been given in the district.

In the audience at the ceremony in Downlands School, Hassocks, were Fraser's proud parents.

His father, Stephen, said: "Rory is always following Fraser around and like all brothers occasionally they don't get on and Fraser says he wishes he had left him in the pool!"

Rory is following in his brother's footsteps by starting swimming lessons.

Fraser, a pupil at St Margaret's School in Ditchling, already has his 400-metre badge.

Later this month he will be one of the few Cubs selected to travel to Windsor for the St George's Day parade when the Duke of Kent will be present.

Richard Thompson, West Sussex deputy county commissioner, said: "We are all very proud of Fraser. He deserves this award."