A family would have died in a house blaze but for the heroics of Neal Lyddiatt, a fire chief has said.

He was presented with a bravery award in recognition of his prompt action during the fire at his neighbour's home.

Mr Lyddiatt, of Medley Road, Rayne, staged a daring rescue to save the lives of a mother and her two sons by raising a ladder to the window of their burning home.

He was presented with a Certificate of Commendation by Essex chief fire officer David Turner, at service headquarters in Brentwood.

The blaze took place on March 5 at the home of Suzanne Kardhordo, in The Street, due to an electrical fault on a tumble dryer.

The modest 35-year-old said: "I found out in April that my name had been put forward for a bravery award. It's obviously great to receive but, at the end of the day, I'm just glad Suzanne and the boys are okay.

"It was a race against time because I thought the window was going to blow through at any time."

Mrs Kardhordo, currently living in Elm Walk, Rayne, said: "Without Neal's bravery we wouldn't be alive today. For that we will always be thankful.

"He put himself in a lot of danger but kept his cool throughout the rescue. It was an unbelievable, selfless act of bravery and we will always be indebted to him."

And Alan Rayner, group commander of Mid-Essex Fire and Rescue, was full of praise for Mr Lyddiatt's bravery said: "It was a very public spirited thing to do and, without a doubt, this guy is a hero.

"To his credit and with great perseverance he acted spontaneously. If it wasn't for him there's a possibility the family wouldn't have made it."

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.