A quick-thinking Norwich paperboy who saved a grandmother's life on a freezing winter morning has won a national award.

Nick Hall, 15, was doing his morning round when he heard 96-year-old Iris Cannell's cries as she lay stricken on her icy front doorstep.

She had fallen while collecting her milk, dislocating her shoulder and injuring her back and leg.

Nick immediately called 999, propped Mrs Cannell up with his paperbag, covered her with his coat and wrapped her feet in his scarf. Last night, the Sprowston Community High School pupil was recognised for his life-saving actions in November 2011 at the National Federation of Retail Newsagents Awards, where he won a News Deliverer Merit Award.

Nick, of Lodge Lane, Old Catton, said at the time that his reaction was just 'instinct' and that he had been talked through the first-aid steps by Mrs Cannell's care warden and the ambulance service. He said: 'I did what anyone would have done. It was a shock, but I just kicked into a way of helping until the paramedics arrived.

'I was just trying to keep her mind off the pain, as I could see that the leg injury was quite bad.'

Mrs Cannell said the teenager had saved her from lying in the cold and dying from hypothermia.

The incident was reported in the Norwich Evening News when Mrs Cannell thanked Nick publicly.

She said Nick deserved recognition 'to show the world there are some good souls out there'.