FOUR Year 10 students at Stanford-le-Hope's Hassenbrook Academy have been praised for their actions and care after witnessing an elderly woman take a fall, from which she suffered a fractured arm and cut knee.

Few people knew about the incident until a neighbour of the lady contacted the school to pass on thanks for what they did.

The incident happened on Wednesday (10 January) morning.

Joanna Rayner told the school that the boys had witnessed the lady's fall after her walking stick gave way as she walked in front of them.

They rushed to her aid, comforted her and knocked on the nearby house of Joanna asking for her to call for help. She was so impressed by what the boys had done she later visited the school with chocolate as a gift for the students – who later called in to see the fall victim to see how she was recovering.

The students - Sam Steggles, Kai Poppy, Kaden Smith and Jack White – have been praised by school head Sally Feeney, who told Thurrock Nub News: "They are a credit to us and to the youth of Stanford-le-Hope!"