A quick-thinking paramedic has been praised for the way he treated a toddler suffering from a rare form of epilepsy.

Mark Spencer was singled out by paediatrician Norajan Mukherjee, who said he was extremely impressed by the help given to the child.

Mr Spencer and technician Steve Leggatt were called out after the family of Joshua Lo raised the alarm.

The youngster, aged 19 months, had suffered a number of seizures and was had a very high temperature.

His father Danny dialled 999 and the South East Coast Ambulance Service crew were quickly on the scene.

Mr Spencer, who has worked in the ambulance service for nine years, gave the youngster medication to control his fits but quickly realised Joshua was likely to need extra drugs and fluids.

He inserted a tube, called a cannula, into Joshua's vein, which could then be used to administer more drugs or fluids if needed.

The youngster was taken from his home in Bognor to St Richard's Hospital in Chichester, where he was treated by Dr Mukherjee, a specialist paediatric registrar.

Dr Mukherjee said: “Mark and Steve managed the treatment of this young boy very well. I was particularly impressed."