A little girl saved her elderly neighbour's life when she collapsed at home - after spotting her upright slippers through the window. Amelia Ling, 11, saw lights were on at the home of Maureen Jacklin, 74 - who had fallen and been unable to move for three days. Brave Amelia and Maureen are
Friends and the youngster took a closer look - and saw Mrs Jacklin's feet in her slippers on the floor. After heading home and alerting her dad Craig Ling, 40, the pair returned to the flat and were forced to break in after heading Maureen's calls for help. After calling an ambulance, doctors said that Maureen could have died 'within 24-hours' had Amelia not raised the alarm. Maureen cannot remember much about the incident, but said she owed Amelia her life after spending three days on the floor without eating or drinking. She said: "I wasn't even aware I was laying on the floor. I didn't know how to get up or how long it had been. But thank God Amelia noticed something was wrong. Nobody else would have. My husband has passed. 'I don't have any family and my neighbours were all away. "My doctor said if I'd been there another day I would be six feet under. I was very ill. They said I had the flu which became pneumonia. I was even having hallucinations which were really quite scary. I was sure I could see my telly on through the back of the sofa and I was certain the ambulance was being driven by Hugh Grant. "It was such a frightening experience but Amelia really saved me. She's only 11 but there's no doubt about it, I owe her my life. I just feel so lucky and blessed. I have no family so to know people care about you is wonderful. She's a lovely, clever girl. "I'm not sure if she comes for me or the chocolate but I really enjoy her company. It was a marvellous thing she did. I can't be grateful enough." Amelia and Maureen struck up a friendship over summer last year after chatting in passing outside their homes. Amelia began visiting Maureen a few times a week for a chat and would greet her every morning and evening. Her dad Craig, a self-employed gardener, said: "Her instincts told her something was wrong. ''It's unbelievable. But she's a bright girl and she sees things differently. I probably wouldn't have noticed." Amelia added: "Maureen goes out a lot, but I hadn't seen her and the curtains had been shut and her lights were left on, which was weird. I could just see in and only saw her slippers on her feet." Maureen has since begun a slow recovery since collapsing on
Christmas Eve and has returned to her home after spending a few weeks in hospital. She is building her strength by walking up and down the three flights of stairs to her flat twice a day - visited regularly by her rescuer next door.