Inspirational youngster chosen to turn on Christmas Lights...

AN inspirational youngster has been chosen to ‘Light up Loughborough’ and switch on the town’s Christmas lights in front of thousands of people.

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Jacob Varley-Issitt, from Loughborough, has been named the winner of the Light up Loughborough competition run by Charnwood Borough Council which organises the festive event on Friday, November 28.

The eight-year-old stood out to judges for his quick-thinking and bravery in calling an ambulance when his mum Hollie collapsed suddenly from sepsis shock and urgently needed an ambulance.

Jacob called the emergency services and let them into the home when they arrived so that they could take care of his mum, who has since made a full recovery.

The great news was broken to Jacob by the Mayor Charnwood, Cllr David Northage and Cllr Jennifer Tillotson at a surprise assembly at his school, Cobden Primary, on Friday, 14 November.

Jacob said: “It was a big shock to find out that I had won the competition. I went to the switch-on last year and there was a lot of people there. I’m really looking forward to switching on the lights in front of my family and friends.”

Jacob was entered into the competition by his grandmother Tracey, who praised Jacob for calling the ambulance and staying by his mum's side until it arrived.