AN HEROIC schoolgirl who saved her baby brother when her mum had an epileptic fit has won a national bravery award.

Ruby Barnes, aged eight, sprang into action to stop baby Dexter’s pram from rolling into a busy road when mum Ellen fell ill in February.

The quick-thinking youngster then located her mum’s phone to call for help, all the while reassuring Ellen as she lay at the side of the road.

After reading about the Moorgate Primary pupil’s heroics, national charity Young Epilepsy got in touch with Ellen and asked her if she would like to nominate Ruby for the Bravery Award at this year’s Young Epilepsy Champions awards.

After the nomination was accepted, the pair headed to London last week for the glitzy event at the iconic Underglobe venue.

Despite competition from other brave youngsters, Ruby came out on top and was handed her award by Gogglebox stars Steph and Dom Parker.

Her proud mum, aged 28, of Hilton Street, Bolton, said: “I am so proud of her for winning this bravery award.

“I honestly don’t know or want to think about what would have happened to me or her brother if she hadn’t have been with me that day. She is a true inspiration to other children who care for a family member with epilepsy.

“Ruby is such a brave little girl who doesn’t know how amazing she is.”

She added: “I wanted to nominate her for a Young Epilepsy Champions Award to show her, and other children, that what they do doesn’t go unnoticed.”

Mrs Barnes said that since her heroics in February, Ruby has taken on an even more active role in supporting her mother with her epilepsy.

She said: “She actually thinks she is my full time carer now, she is just brilliant and so responsible.”

Carol Long, Chief Executive at Young Epilepsy, said: “We have had hundreds of nominations from across the UK and this year the judges had a particularly tough time choosing the winners. Every single winner and finalist are truly inspiring people doing incredible things for the epilepsy community.”