Tyler, 16, battled flames to rescue five terrified children from their blazing home.

Neighbour Tyler saved the children, aged between four and 15, when their house in Greenmeadow went up in flames. The children, who were in the house alone, were screaming: “I don’t want to die,” from the bedroom window as smoke billowed out around them.

Tyler kicked the back door in but was forced back by the smoke at 2.20am. He then made his way round the front of the house, picked up a hose pipe connected to a tap in the neighbouring garden and battled his way through the flames.

Once inside, Tyler helped three of the children get out of the window and carried the other two children out of the house through the front door.

First News editor Nicky Cox chose Tyler as the Child Public Hero winner who was presented with his award by GMTV’s Anna Williamson and ChildLine founder, Esther Rantzen, who writes the First News problem page.