A Bicester boy aged six and his little sister helped save their dad's life during a diabetic fit - by summoning one of Santa's elves.

When Reece Sullivan's dad Paul collapsed semi-conscious on the kitchen floor, the Longfields Primary School pupil knew exactly what to do.

Mr Sullivan's blood levels had dropped dangerously low and he was close to blacking out. But quick-thinking Reece, who was in the house with sister Ellie, three, dialled 999 to tell a relative his dad, who has to inject himself twice a day with insulin, was ill.

When the two youngsters heard sleigh bells outside, they ran to call for help from members of Bicester Lions Club, who were on their annual street collection.

Mr Sullivan, 30, who works as Oxford United's kit manager, said: "I had got to the stage where my blood sugar levels had got so low, I had a cake in my hand but I lost the energy to put the cake to my mouth."

Moments after he collapsed Mr Sullivan's uncle called, but Reece put the phone down and dialled 999. Mr Sullivan, pictured with Reece, said: "I heard him say, 'Is that the hospital?'"

Mr Sullivan added: "Then Reece heard Father Christmas coming down the street and went to the window. He's usually excited to see Father Christmas, and told the man coming round for the money that daddy was poorly.

"He told him I needed something sweet. He came in and gave me some orange juice, got me sat down and found some flapjack."

Mr Sullivan, of Ravencroft, Bicester, said if it wasn't for his children, he could have died. He said: "It must have been scary for Reece, but he just spoke calmly all the way through."

Reece, who had never seen his dad have a fit before the incident last Friday, said: "I saw Santa out of the window and I asked whether they could come in. Daddy said that I was a very good boy."

Mum Sally Sullivan, of Nuthatch Way, Bicester, added: "It brings me to tears just thinking about it. I am absolutely proud that my six-year-old son can be so responsible."

Santa's elf, aka Brian Tagg, 64, of Willow Drive, said he was only too pleased to help.

The Lions Club member, inset above, said: "The door opened and a little girl and her brother were in the doorway. They said, 'Can you please help us, daddy's lying on the kitchen floor'. They took me through and he was lying flat out on his back. He said he was diabetic.

"It was very frightening for the two little kids, but they were both brilliant."