Bravery award for boy killed in storms

The annual awards recognise outstanding courage

The courage of a 12-year-old Norfolk boy who died saving his older brother from a falling tree was recognised at a Westminster Abbey ceremony on Wednesday.

The Prince of Wales joined stars from stage, screen and sport at the abbey to honour 10 children at the award ceremony.

Christopher Vince's selfless action was being honoured posthumously at the 29th annual Woman's Own Children of Courage Awards.

The youngster was crushed after pushing 16-year-old Ben to safety at Costessey, near Norwich, as a tree fell in October's storms which battered the country.

'Proud moment'

Ben collected the honour in his brother's place.

After the ceremony, Ben said: "I feel a bit strange.

Christopher Vince (right) died saving brother Ben (left).

"He was brave - he would have liked it here, but he wouldn't have been overawed.

"It's strange having a younger brother save your life. It's nice that we are able to celebrate it."

Ben was joined by his mother Sandra, father Jonathan and 11-year-old sister Jessica.

Jonathan said: "It's a proud moment but obviously tinged with a lot of sadness.

"It's been a fabulous, fabulous day. Christopher would have been having a good laugh about this.

"I'm sure he would have loved being here."

'Amazing children'

Elsa McAlonan, editor of the magazine, said: "For 29 years, Woman's Own has been amazed and moved by the tales of bravery and determination that pour into our annual Children of Courage awards.

"This year has been no different.

"Our judges found it as difficult as ever to choose between the hundreds of amazing children nominated for their heroism in the face of danger, illness and adversity."

Also honoured for her bravery was four-year-old Hayley Okines, of East Sussex.

She suffers from a rare condition that makes her body age eight times faster than normal.

Canal rescue

A 12-year-old girl who rescued a drowning toddler is also among those children whose bravery is being recognised.

Karla Inglis, of Newbury, Berkshire, acted after a toddler slid into a canal in a pushchair.

The other winners are:

Khaleeq Khan, 14, Woking Surrey, who rescued two children from a fire.

Colin Antik, 10, Mortimer, Berkshire, who suffers from Stickler's Syndrome, a rare degenerative condition that affects his sight, hearing and joints.

Bradley-James Prescott, 9, Fareham, Hampshire, who dragged himself across the room to phone for help for his mother Sarah who had suffered an epileptic fit.

He was in plaster from his feet to his chest after an operation to deal with a crippling bone condition.

Rosy Slimkiss, 11, Birmingham, who saved her sister's life after she fell on a metal spike.

Ben Clinton, 6, from Newcastle Upon Tyne, who had part of his skull removed to deal with agonising headaches he suffered caused by a build-up of fluid in his brain.

Megan Reynolds, 7, from Belfast, who was born with hydrocephalus and spina bifida and has undergone eight major operations.

Her mother Mairead said her daughter is always the first to offer to help someone else who is in pain.

Marino Giorghetti, 15, from the Isle of Cumbrae, who saved his teacher's life by singing to him to keep him awake after he was injured in a coach crash in Barcelona.

The youngsters met Prime Minister Tony Blair at Downing Street ahead of the ceremony.

Among the celebrities at the awards were, Celebrity Big Brother winner Mark Owen, glamour model Jordan, former East Enders actor Ross Kemp and Ryder Cup golfing hero Colin Montgomerie.