AN ARMY cadet's medical training helped save a 53-year-old man from choking to death after a violent attack.

John Simpson, of Helmshore, was knocked unconscious when his attacker struck him with a plank of wood in Broadway Crescent.

And it was the actions of quick-thinking James Bolton, which medics said helped save Mr Simpson's life.

The 15-year-old remembered what he was taught at detachment training.

James, of Sussex Drive, Helmshore, said Mr Simpson, who was drifting in and out of consciousness, had swallowed a piece of chewing gum and was struggling to breathe.

The Haslingden High School pupil said: "I had been playing football and was on my way home when I heard an argument.

"One boy, who was wearing dark clothes and a cap, picked up a large plank of wood and hit the man, knocking him to the ground.

"I ran over to help and the boy threatened to hit the man again if I didn't move out of his way.

I said they better run because the police were here.

I could see that there was something at the back of the man's throat and he was choking, so I managed to remove it.

"I then put him in the recovery position and took off my coat and T-shirt because he had gone into shock and was shivering. His face was all blown up where he had been hit. It looked like his jaw had been broken.

"I phoned the ambulance and then phoned them again because that is what we have been trained to do."

It is believed Mr Simpson is in Tenerife recovering from his ordeal, and James has been thanked by the family.

His mum Denise, a nurse in Bolton, said: "We are really proud of him. What he did was brilliant and very brave."

Paul Ridgway, head of year 10 at Haslingden High, said: "We are all very proud."

Nathan Hearn, Lancashire Ambulance Service communications officer, said: "Acting as our eyes and ears at the scene he could update our emergency medical dispatcher on the patient's condition."