Two heroic hospital porters saved the life of a suicidal patient by persuading her not to jump from a rooftop.

Ashley Hopkins and Kyle Moore were on their way home from a shift at Kent and Canterbury Hospital when the woman ran past them and climbed onto a garage roof.

The pair - aged 20 and 24 - followed the patient and spoke to her for 45 minutes, eventually persuading her to climb down.

The distressed woman, who was dressed in a hospital gown, was safely escorted back inside.

Mr Hopkins and Mr Moore have now been handed an award for their efforts by their employers, Serco.

Their colleague Kevin Wanstall - who nominated them for the award - said: "Kyle and Ashley’s quick thinking and compassion for this vulnerable patient may well have made the difference between life and death.

"They bring the same caring approach to their work every day so I am really pleased to see them recognised with this award."