A TEN-YEAR-OLD hero who saved his family from a blaze at their Blackburn home has been nominated for a national TV bravery award.

Carl Wilkinson, a pupil at St Thomas' CE Primary School, Blackburn, has been nominated for ITV's Children of Courage Awards 2005, run in conjunction with Barnardo's and the News of the World.

Brave Carl woke up his mum and dad, Penny and Martin, after smelling smoke in the kitchen at 10.30pm on Monday, September 19.

He then led his family to safety through the smoke-filled house in Monmouth Road.

The grill had been left on after supper and had set on fire, spreading to the cooker and kitchen units.

While his mum and dad got one-year-old Erica out of her cot, Carl woke his sister Shannon, nine, and they both then helped younger brother Matthew, five, down the stairs as Mr Wilkinson dialled 999. The family were taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary for a check-up and treatment for smoke inhalation.

But modest hero Carl said he just remembered what he had seen on a television advert -- 'Get Out, Stay Out and Call Us Out'.

His mum said she nominated him for his bravery and calmness.

Dad added: "Who knows what would have happened if he hadn't raised the alarm and acted when he did.

"We will never forget how well Carl dealt with what was a terrifying situation for an adult, never mind a ten-year-old."

The awards ceremony will be held in London at the end of the year.