A teenager is in the running for two awards after putting her first aid skills into practice when she came to the rescue of her elderly neighbour last week.

Jessica Shepherd, 14, of Ash Drive, North Bradley, only joined Trowbridge Army Cadets in June this year and completed her One Star Level first aid training at the beginning of November.

She was walking home from John of Gaunt School last Wednesday when she saw 81-year-old Patricia Giles fall.

She said: “She was screaming. I ran over to her and said ‘my name is Jess, I am a first aider and I am here to help’.

“Two cars stopped and neighbours came out. I told them to phone an ambulance and get some blankets while I kept the woman calm, telling her what was happening and asking her what hurt.

“A neighbour wanted to pick her up and put her in the warm but I had to stop him, because you are not supposed to move the casualty.”

Jessica relayed information to the ambulance operator, and within six minutes a rapid response vehicle arrived, followed soon after by an ambulance.

Mrs Giles was taken to the Royal United Hospital, where she remains, recovering from two operations on her leg and a hand broken in two places.

Her husband Peter, at home at the time of the accident, said: “I can’t see she will be out before Christmas. The neighbours said Jessica was marvellous. She took her coat off to put round my wife. She acted perfectly.”

One witness discovered Jessica was an army cadet and contacted the group to tell them of her actions.

Mark Cray, Army Cadet executive officer, said: “We are very proud. We will be putting her forward for a national Army Cadet first aid award.”

Jessica is also in the running to win the Community Service shield at John of Gaunt School, and headteacher Andy Packer said: “From the very first day she started, she has always wanted to help.”

Modest Jessica said: “I just did what anyone else would do in that situation.”