A caretaker was today hailed a hero after he saved an elderly man whose clothes were on fire.

The victim was having a cigarette in a designated smoking area of a residential home in Ailsa Road, Wesctliff, when his trousers caught alight.

Without hesitating, the caretaker ripped down the curtains, wrapped the elderly man in them and rolled him on the floor to put out the flames.

It is believed the 78-year-old man accidentally ignited himself.

With the help of a colleague the cleaner then cooled the burns on both the man's legs and body using damp towels.

The man was rushed to Southend Hospital by ambulance and is believed to have since been transferred to another hospital.

Fire appliances from Leigh and Southend were called to the home, but the blaze was out when they arrived.

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