A quick-thinking paper girl who came to the rescue of an elderly woman while out on her rounds has been named News Deliverer of the Year.

13-year-old Maria Butterfant, who delivers Archant’s Eastern Daily Press and Norwich Evening News, heard cries for help while passing a sheltered housing development in Norwich.

She found a woman in her 80s lying prone behind her front door and alerted her parents, who immediately called an ambulance, while Maria remained with the woman until paramedics arrived.

The pensioner was later released from hospital and Maria was praised by the local ambulance service for her clear thinking and swift action, which came just five days after she started working as a news deliverer.

Maria, who works for HJ News on Drayton Road, won the award at an annual ceremony held by the National Federation of Retail Newsagents in London.

She said: “I was happy to do what I could to help.”

Maria is pictured receiving her trophy from James Beardow, from award sponsor Mail Publisher Solutions.