A GIRL of four saved the life of a sleeping neighbour by raising the alert after a blaze broke out in his flat.

Leah Merritt was woken by a smoke alarm in the apartment above her familys.

She knew exactly what to do after a talk on fire safety two weeks ago at her nursery school.

Leah said: I heard a beeping noise and ran and told my mummy.

Mum Sam Broom, 25, and dad Barry Merritt, 31, at first thought the noise was a false alarm.

Technician Barry said: I couldnt raise anyone upstairs so dialled 999.

Firemen broke in to the flat in Brentwood, Essex, and rescued a 49-year-old man suffering smoke inhalation.

A spokesman said: If it hadnt been for Leah he could have died