Two Wallingford School sixth formers saved a local man's life when he was close to collapse outside the town hall on Monday evening.

They found out that the man, Dominic Feeley, of Wilding Road, Wallingford, was diabetic, took his blood sugar measurement, raced to get him a sugary drink, and stayed with him until the ambulance they had called arrived.

They modestly told no one about what had happened.

But their actions were noted by town council member Theresa Jordan, who took over from them, and councillors praised the girls, Taura Wood, of Station Road, Wallingford, and Ellie Burns, of Wey Road, Berinsfield.

The 16-year-old duo's action was also praised by Wallingford School head, Wyll Willis.

He said: "So many would have passed by thinking the man was drunk, but these two girls acted fast and prevented him from going into a possibly fatal coma. They are a fine example to us all."

Mr Feeley, 44, a computer systems manager and a leading light in the town's annual blues and beer festival, said: "They did a very creditable job and I am immensely grateful to them.

"All I can think of is that I took the wrong sort of insulin in the morning. A mistake like that can be fatal and the girls saved my life by acting so quickly. I don't remember much about it, but I wish I could have thanked them there and then."

Should teenagers Taura Wood and Ellie Burns receive an award for their quick-thinking in saving a man's life?

Taura, who is studying psychology, media and drama for A-levels, said: "The man was swaying about and hanging on to some scaffolding.

"Other people thought he was drunk and were taking the mickey. But when he started collapsing, we went over to him.

"I kept him talking, asking him questions, checking whether he was epileptic or had some other illness. He wasn't talking, but when I asked if he was diabetic, he nodded. We got his blood-testing kit, pricked his finger to check the blood and I saw the blood sugar level was low.

"Eloise ran off for a can of Coke to get his sugars up again and she telephoned for the ambulance.

"I talked to the ambulance control saying what was happening and then the ambulance arrived."

Taura said she knew what to do because friends and relatives were diabetic and had spoken about how to tackle problems.

Ellie, who is studying mathematics, English, media, PE and language at A-level, said: "I didn't know what to do — I just did what Taura told me to do.

"We wanted to make sure he was all right and we kept talking to him until the paramedics got there."

Ms Jordan said she would go into the ambulance with the man if he needed it.

Ms Jordan, who works at Wallingford School, knew the girls and asked them to go to the town council offices and give her apologies for being late for a council meeting.

They did so — not telling anyone what they had done.

Taura said: "We did what we had to do. I hope it shows people in Wallingford that just because we wear hooded tops, we are not yobs."

Earlier this year, she and another friend helped an old man who had collapsed near his home back into his house with his groceries after a woman had passed by, saying the man was drunk.

He sent them cards and £30 cheques, but they sent the cheques back, saying the thank you card was sufficient.

Ms Jordan said: "They were wonderful with the man at the town hall and did a fantastic job for him. They could well have saved his life. I am so proud of what they both did."

Fellow council member Betty Atkins said: "We do have some wonderful young people in Wallingford."

A spokesman for the ambulance service said: "He did not need hospital treatment so we took him home.

"All credit to the girls who did a wonderful job keeping the man conscious — without their help, this could have proved fatal."