A COURAGEOUS nurse has been hailed a hero for saving the lives of elderly patients in a hospital fire.

June Norris, of Widnes, dragged a 93-year-old invalid man to safety in his chair after a ferocious blaze broke out at Warrington Hospital.

Brave June also helped to move other bed-ridden patients away from the dense smoke.

Jonathan Bruce, managing director of Prestige Nursing, the agency that employs June, said: "June was incredibly brave during the fire and put her own life at risk to save those of her patients.

"If it wasn't for June, lives could have been lost. She is an asset to both the Prestige team and the patients were lucky enough to be looked after by her."

Despite having to spend two and a half hours being treated for smoke inhalation, June said she was only doing her job.

She said: "I wasn't concerned for myself, the only worry I had was for the patients inside the ward, some of whom wouldn't have been able to escape on their own.

"Although the smoke was very thick, my training seemed to automatically kick in.

"My only concern from then on was to get everyone out quickly."

June was personally thanked by John Hutton, the Government's health minister, for her gallant efforts.

The fire started on ward A4, just after 4.30pm on Friday, May 31.

A total of 270 patients had to be evacuated during the blaze andsome were carried to safety on their mattresses.

Mr Hutton thanked June and other members of staff at a special buffet reception during his recent visit to the hospital.

Picture: Brave nurse June Norris, second from left, talks to health minister John Hutton and two staff nurses from Warrington Hospital.