Nicky Starkey's quick reactions saved her little sister from being crushed by a car.

Nicky, 16, and eight-year-old Paige were on the sofa in their front room when the teenager heard a loud crash and saw a car heading towards them.

She grabbed Paige and jumped off the sofa seconds before the car smashed through the front of the house.

Nicky, who is studying hairdressing and beauty therapy at Chichester College, said: "The sound outside woke me up so I didn't have time to think.

"I grabbed Paige and threw her off the sofa. I have never moved so fast in my life."

The runaway car struck two other vehicles and ran over a concrete post before ramming their house in Chichester Road, Bognor. The front room was wrecked but both girls escaped unhurt.

Nicky's mother Su, 40, was out and was horrified when she returned.

She said: "I couldn't believe what I saw and when I heard what happened with the girls I felt even worse.

"The car actually hit the sofa. I don't want to think about what could have happened if it wasn't for Nicky. She was an absolute hero and there just aren't the words to express how I feel about her."