A HEROIC supermarket worker has been nominated for a service award after saving a youngster’s life during an emergency incident at work.

Sharon Pitts, a checkout colleague and first-aider at the Asda store in Church Road, Tiptree, saved a three-year-old girl’s life after she started to choke on a lollipop while out shopping with her mum.

Sharon has worked for the store for eight years and on the day of the incident, a colleague shouted for her help.

She then discovered the toddler choking and her mum becoming a “bit panicky”.

Helpful - Asda worker Sharon PittsHelpful - Asda worker Sharon Pitts (Image: Asda)

Taking the lead, Sharon provided support and advice as the mother’s technique of patting the girl’s top of her back “wasn’t working”.

Sharon advised that she needed to pat further down by the shoulder blades and “had to whack with the palm of the hand and push up”.

After a few attempts, the child coughed up half a lollipop.

The Asda worker said: “It was such a relief.

“I checked all her airwaves to make sure that they were all clear.

Area - Asda in TiptreeArea - Asda in Tiptree (Image: Google Maps)

“She didn't need an ambulance; I just gave her a drink of water.

“I'm just so grateful that the little girl was fine at the end of the day, that's the main thing, the whole thing was over in seconds.

"Thankfully the lollipop had broken in half in the girl's mouth, if she had got the whole lollipop stuck it could have been a different scenario.”

After the tense situation, both the mother and child were “really upset” and so Sharon offered the girl and her sister a toy to cheer them up.

Brett George, deputy manager at the store, has nominated Sharon for Asda service superstar award for her actions.

Shop - Asda signageShop - Asda signage (Image: Chris Radburn/PA Wire)

He said: "Sharon noticed that the mother was in stress and not only did she take over and save the child but she went the extra mile, as that's what Sharon is like.

"Luckily Sharon was in the right place, right time, and really went above and beyond.

“She made sure the mum, the grandmother who was there too, and the two children were all okay before going back to her work and cracking on with her day.

"She is an absolute asset to the store and she's ridiculously modest and humble too.

"She did what was right, she is an angel and the most amazing person."