LITTLE James Samuelson was playing football in his garden when he saw smoke pouring from a neighbour’s house.

The youngster remembered some of the safety advice he had been given by firemen when they visited his school.

He quickly alerted his father, Hugh, who saw the chimney was on fire and dialled 999.

The neighbours in Highfield Close, Canterbury, were unaware of the drama until Mr Samuelson banged on their door.

Within a few minutes firefighters were on the scene to tackle the incident and prevent serious damage.

It happened on Christmas Eve, last year, but now seven-year-old James has been given a special award by Kent Fire and Rescue Service.

He was given a tour of Canterbury fire station with his twin sister Olivia by members of red watch.

And he was presented with a Chief Fire’s Officer’s framed certificate of congratulations and a goodie bag by area manager Andy Merriman.

His mother, Jacqueline Samuelson, said: “James is quite a character and can be full of mischief but obviously remembered the visit to Blean school by fire safety officers.”

Mr Merriman added: “Red watch went to the school last summer as part of our fire safety programme and obviously the message was absorbed by the children and particularly James who did a first class job of raising the alarm.”