Paperboy Ricki Dipper was hailed a hero today after coming to the aid of an elderly man.

The 13-year-old was delivering newspapers in Southwick, near Brighton, yesterday morning when he heard a voice calling for help through the letter box of a house in Overhill.

He looked through the slot and saw retired builder Harry Spicer sitting in a chair, pleading for assistance.

Ricki, a pupil at Glebe School, Shoreham, kept calm and told Mr Spicer, who is believed to have fallen, that he was going for help.

He said: "I heard him shouting 'Help me!' as I was putting the newspaper through his letter box.

"At first I didn't know what to do and I just froze. But then he started shouting again and I switched on and I went and knocked on the door of the neighbour's house to get help.

"Then I went back to the house and stayed with the man until the neighbour arrived and kept him company.

"He told me he had been in agony all night and that he couldn't stand up. After a while he went silent and it was then I started to get a bit

worried."

One of the neighbours had a key to 84-year-old Mr Spicer's house and they were able to open the door.

Ricki, who is a Sea Scout and lives in Oakapple Road, Southwick, with his parents Robbie and Wendy, and brother, Ryan, two, said: "I got him a drink of water while we waited for the ambulance. I wanted to go to the hospital with Mr Spicer to make sure he was all right."

An ambulance arrived and when the paramedics saw Mr Spicer could not stand or put any weight on one of his legs they took him to Worthing Hospital.

Last night his condition was described as comfortable and he is expected to make a good recovery.

After seeing Mr Spicer safely into the ambulance Ricki continued on his way to school and he had to wait until last night to meet up with his new friend again.

Mr Spicer, recovering in Worthing Hospital said: "I couldn't get up and I waited to hear the paperboy rattle the letter box and I started shouting for him to help me.

"Ricki heard me and said he was off to get help. And he wouldn't leave me until he knew I was well taken care of. He is a good lad."

Mr Dipper, a firefighter at Gatwick and Shoreham said: "I am very proud of him. He did really well."

Ricki's boss, Sheriff Beard, owner of Holmbush Stores, Holmbush Way, said: "He is a great kid."

To thank Ricki, who wants to join the military when he's old enough, former soldier Mr Spicer has offered to show him his medals.

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