Five-year-old Jake Rodway helped save his best friend's life when he ran out of steam in the middle of a swimming pool.

The youngsters were splashing around when Daniel Hamilton, five, became too tired to reach the side.

He was so exhausted his arms and legs were flailing about and his head started disappearing under the water.

Daniel's terrified mum Julie Hamilton, of London Road, Brighton, saw the drama from the poolside at the King Alfred Leisure Centre, Kingsway, Hove.

She said: "Daniel was swimming and then he suddenly got tired.

"His hands and feet were going everywhere and he was panicking.

"He went under the water about three times. Then Jake popped up from nowhere."

Although there were plenty of adults on hand to intervene, Jake sprang into action and grabbed hold of his mate's arm and pushed him towards the side where an instructor lifted him out of the water.

Mrs Hamilton said: "He gave a burp and water came out. He was very distressed. I was preparing myself to go in and I was fully clothed but I was just frozen to the spot."

Daniel and Jake had been enjoying their weekly swimming lesson from their school, Westdene County Primary, Bankside, Brighton, when Daniel got into trouble.

The duo held hands on the bus all the way back to the school.

The first Jake's mum Francesca knew about her son's bravery was when she went to collect him from school.

Mother-of-four Mrs Rodway, of Nevill Road, Hove said: "Daniel's mum came up to me and gave me a big hug and said 'that's for having such a kind little boy'.

"I was surprised because Jake's not a particularly good swimmer. I'm so proud of him."

Deputy head teacher Jenny Stratton said: "Jake has been doing so well at swimming. We are pleased he was willing to lend a hand to the adults."