QUICK thinking nursery staff have been hailed heroes after rushing to help an baby having a seizure.

Sixteen month old, Kingsley-Phoenix Kiely-Lloyd, was rushed into the St Nicholas Pre-School, in Colchester, by his panicked father, Kevin Lloyd.

Sue McMullan, deputy manager of St Nicholas Pre-School, and Debbie Treacy, senior practitioner sprung to action to save him.

All of the staff at the pre-school are first aid trained, which was vital.

Sue McMullan said: "It was the end of the day and there was an almighty bang on the door.

"We opened the door and he had the baby in his arms and the baby was blue.

Braintree and Witham Times:

Playing - Kingsley-Phoenix playing with mum May Kiely

"Debbie called the ambulance and we took him into the office and put him on the floor. His breathing was weak and his heart was beating.

"We kept reassuring each other, in the meantime Debbie took his coat off because he was hot and got him in the recovery position, keeping his airways clear.

"We kept going and his breathing started to settle.

"We had to blow into his mouth and kept talking to each other and to him until the ambulance arrived.

"It felt like forever but I think it was about 20 minutes."

"We did it between us all."

Mr Lloyd, Kingsley-Phoenix's dad, said: "I realised the gravity of the situation from the word go.

Braintree and Witham Times:

Feeling better - lots of smiles from Kingsley-Phoenix and mum May Kieley

"Luckily we were parked outside and not in a Sainsbury's car park for instance.

"I rushed across the car park and banged on the door; I'm amazed I didn't break it."

"Thank you to to Debbie and Sue for the pragmatic way they dealt with the situation."

May Kiely, Kingsley-Phoenix's mother, who also works at St Nicholas Pre-School, said: "There are not enough words to thank them."

Staff members, Michaela Clarke and Claire Middleton looked after her class while she stayed with her son.

The reasons behind Kingsley-Phoenix's seizure is suspected to be due to a virus or infection.

Doctors told his parents that it is the illness that can cause the seizure, as opposed to the fever.

Sue McMullan added: "When we ring parents to say their child has a temperature there is a reason why."

Debbie Treacy, who was on hand at the scene, said: "It's surprising how common it is."

Kevin is now determined to raise awareness to other parents since his sons experience by hosting child benefit gigs with his punk band.

He said: "It could happen to anybody."