AN alert paperboy saved the life of one of his elderly customers.

Mike Lewis, 14, was concerned when the mail and newspapers were still lying in the doorway at a house on his Bishopsteignton round.

So he alerted his boss, Dave Waller, of the Supply Stores, who informed the emergency services.

Police checked the home and found a couple collapsed.

The 97-year-old woman later died in hospital, but her 82-year-old husband survived.

Now the Teignmouth Community School student has been commended for his actions.