A West Molesey schoolboy has been presented with a prestigious award after helping firefighters find their way to a blaze.

George Starkie, 11, a year 6 pupil at St Alban’s Catholic Primary School, was presented with the area manager’s award by Esher fire stations blue watch at a school assembly on Tuesday, July 9.

The surprise presentation was organised after George helped the crew get to a shed fire in Spring Gardens on February 14, after they could not gain access to the address due to narrow roads.

George and a friend got into the fire engine and were able to direct them to the fire, which was by his grandma’s house.

Paul Crowther, blue watch manager, said: “Without George’s help that day the fire would have definitely been more severe. His actions were extremely responsible, calm and he was able to give instructions to our driver directly which is something when adults are tested in the same way, fail to act in that way. It was really responsible behaviour.

“We are delighted with him and we are glad he has been recognised in this way.”

The crew put George’s name forward to the honours and award board, which meets once a year, and said very few claims were successful, having not seen one handed out in this area for 22 years.

George’s parents and grandma were also invited to the presentation, which had been kept secret from him.

He was taken out from the assembly and brought in to receive his award in front of the whole school.

George’s mum Sarah Newman said: “I am extremely proud as you can imagine. He had no idea about it. I thought he would be really embarrassed about it but he was so grown up with the way he dealt with it.

“I could see he was really made up by it and really happy but definitely quite surprised. I could hear them telling him what a big award this is.”

Martin Branningan, headteacher of St Albans, said: “I am immensely proud of George and he is a great example to other children. His coolness was fantastic and he gave such clear directions, they were amazed by him.”