A HUDDERSFIELD boy's quick thinking helped to save a life while he was on holiday.

Thomas Ibbotson, five, sprang into action when a child who could not swim almost drowned.

Thomas, of Malvern Rise, Newsome, was in Praia de Vau in the Algarve, Portugal, with parents Sue and Richard.

He had been playing with a ball at the side of a swimming pool when a youngster who came to watch slipped and tumbled into the water.

The fully-clothed boy could not swim and plunged straight to the bottom of the pool.

But Thomas and another boy bravely leaned in and dragged him out.

Mum Sue said: "I wouldn't like to think what would have happened if there hadn't been anybody there.

"He could have been in serious trouble.

"The boy had gone under and was fully clothed, so he was quite heavy.

"Thomas has been swimming since he was a baby and is very confident around water.

"I don't think he would have dared get him if he wasn't such a strong swimmer."

Thomas, a pupil at Rosemeade School, Almondbury, has been having swimming lessons at Huddersfield Sports Centre since he was a baby.

He recently swam 32 lengths for his 800 metres award.

Sue added: "I would urge all parents to take their children swimming as soon as they can, to get them confident near water.

"We realised on holiday just how many children cannot swim.

"We were really proud of Thomas for what he did.

"But he didn't think anything of it."