A BUILDER is being hailed a hero after rescuing an elderly couple from a flat fire.

John Alexander was working in Lancaster Court, Bolton, on Wednesday morning when he heard a smoke alarm in one of the sheltered accommodation apartments at 11.30am.

When he arrived at the flat, he realised an elderly couple were trapped inside and pushed open the door.

He said: "As soon as I opened the door the lady just collapsed.

"I carried her towards an open window so she could get some air. I then went back to rescue the man."

While Mr Alexander, aged 47, of Chorley, was helping the couple in their 80s, his son-in-law Justin Arnold, aged 33, alerted the emergency services.

A warden at Lancaster Court said: "The elderly lady who was rescued was very distressed by the incident and if it wasnt for his actions things could have turned out a lot worse."