A 13-year-old paper girl who helped a stricken elderly woman just five days into the job has been recognised by the National Federation of Retail Newsagents.

Maria Butterfant, left, who delivers copies of Archant Norfolk’s Eastern Daily Press and Norwich Evening News, was carrying out morning deliveries in Aylsham Road, Norwich, when she discovered a woman in her 80s lying behind her front door.

Maria heard the woman’s cries for help and alerted her parents, who called an ambulance while the schoolgirl waited with the pensioner.

Paramedics arrived to take the woman to hospital and she was later released after suffering minor injuries.

Maria, who is planning a career as a doctor, has now been presented with a £100 cheque by the NFRN and has been put forward for the national ‘News Deliverer of the Year’ award, which will be held in October.

She said: “I did not expect this. I was happy to do what I could to help. I will put it towards money to pay for clothes or put it towards my ‘Barcelona’ Fund – we are going on a school trip there.”