A MODEST hero from Nelson who has twice turned life-saver has been shortlisted for a national award – for his day job.

Youth worker Mashuq Hussain, 44, leapt into action when fire swept through the home of a neighbour last May, and also saved the life of a 13-year-old boy who was drowning.

Now Mashuq, a senior youth worker at Marsden Heights Community College, has been shortlisted for a Local Champion Award, as part of the Co-op-backed Pride of Britain Awards for his role in uniting different communities in the town.

He said: “I just feel blessed that I was there in those situations, so I was able to help.

“In terms of my youth work, I just try to help people fulfil their potential and unite different races.”

Mashuq has also set up a multi-cultural local football team called Life FC. The squad includes players from Turkey, Italy, Africa, Paki-stan and England.

He hit the headlines in May when Stephen Seal was desperately trying to break a window as flames engulfed his property, after Mashuq was alerted to the blaze by his son, Farooq, 21. The Lancashire Telegraph repo-rted how Mashuq, of Fern Bank, scaled a drainpipe to a first floor window, in near-by Chapelhouse Road, and plucked him to safety.

Meanwhile, Farooq and his brother Zahoor, 19, awoke a couple living in nearby Day Street, to save them from smoke inhalation.

Unassuming Mashuq played down his role in the rescue.

But the incident is not the only time the fearless father-of-four has put himself at risk for others.

Mashuq also dragged a drowning 13-year-old boy to safety from a canal in Leeds six years ago.

Peter Marks, the Co-op’s chief executive, said: “Every-one who has been nominated for the Local Champion Award is doing their bit to make their community, and our country, a better place in which to live.

“But the shortlisted candid-ates have gone that extra mile to make a difference.”

The overall winner will be announced at a star-studded gala dinner, which will be televised on ITV1 on October 1.