When mum Nicola Hamer suddenly collapsed unconscious at home, daughter Caitlyn, aged just three, came to the rescue. The toddler managed to pick up the phone and dial 999 for help — even though her mum had never taught her.

Nicola was helping her two children get ready for bed at their home in Bankfield Close, Ainsworth, around 8.30pm last Wednesday when she fell to the floor and lost consciousness. Caitlyn and brother Alfie, aged almost two, tried to wake their mum by pulling her hair and poking her in the eyes, before quick-thinking Caitlyn grabbed the phone.

She was put through to the police and told the call handler that her mum had fallen and she could not wake her.

After more hair-pulling and eye-poking, Nicola, aged 26, woke up a couple of minutes later.

An ambulance and police car arrived soon afterwards at the house to check on Nicola, who is believed to have fainted due to low blood sugar levels.

Nicola, who has since made a full recovery, said: “I was feeling really awful all of a sudden and collapsed. I don’t remember anything until I woke up and Caitlyn was on the phone.

“I am so proud of Caitlyn. I didn’t realise she knew how to phone 999 because I’ve never told her what to do. She did the right thing though, because I could have been unconscious for a long time or it could have been more serious.

“Caitlyn doesn’t really understand what happened, but she is enjoying all the attention. I’ve promised to take her on a day out to Smithills Open Farm in Bolton as a treat.”

Nicola has also paid tribute to paramedic Mark McKenzie, who spent around 20 minutes with Caitlyn and Alfie, showing them how to use medical equipment.

She said: “He was really good and showed the children how to do some of the medical tests. They loved learning how to take my pulse.”

Caitlyn even has her own toy medical kit now, given to her by Nicola and husband Craig as a gift for her potentially lifesaving actions.

Praise has been pouring in for the brave three-year-old.

Paramedic Mr McKenzie said: “Caitlyn was absolutely superb and did the right thing by dialing 999. She was brilliant.”

A special award was given to Caitlyn during an assembly at Christ Church Walshaw Primary School, where she is a pupil in the nursery.

Teacher Helen Jackson said: “We taught the children about the emergency services as part of another topic and it seems that Caitlyn luckily remembered what to do.

“We are remarkably proud of her. She is a very bright little girl, but to be able to phone 999 and stay so calm is amazing.”