A LITTLE girl from Port Glasgow has been hailed a hero after she saved her dad's life when he took seriously ill with pneumonia and sepsis.

Rochelle Ramsay, eight, came to the rescue in the middle of the night when she heard her dad Chris in distress.

The 38-year-old has inflammation of the spinal cord and multiple sclerosis and was fighting a chest infection when he took gravely unwell in bed while everyone was asleep.

Rochelle woke up around 4am for a drink and heard 'weird noises', so she woke her mum Sheryl up.

Chris, who was rushed to hospital in an ambulance, says he would not have survived the night had it not been for his daughter.

He told the Tele: "I was so unwell and couldn't understand what was happening to me.

"I thought I was going to die.

"I couldn't even speak, as I was shaking so much that my teeth were chittering.

"If it wasn't for Rochelle deciding to come in and check on me when she woke up, I wouldn't be here today.

"She is my hero."

Chris was dangerously ill, with his oxygen levels dropping dramatically and his heart rate going through the roof.

Rochelle, who is a pupil at St Michael's says she 'knew something was wrong' when she heard him in distress and decided to wake her mum up instantly.

The primary four pupil said: "I needed a drink of water so I was up for that.

"I heard weird noises and I knew something was wrong.

"My dad was shaking like a leaf, so I woke up my mum.

"I was scared and confused.

"I'm glad I was able to save my daddy's life."

Chris has thankfully now fully recovered following treatment.

The couple, who stay in an upper cottage flat in Port Glasgow with Rochelle and their three cats and dog, are currently making preparations for Chris and Sheryl's wedding at the end of the year.

Sheryl says if it wasn't for Rochelle her wedding plans could have been replaced with funeral arrangements.

She added: "Our lives would have had a very different outcome if it wasn't for our wee angel.

"I'd be planning a funeral right now instead.

"I don't think it's really hit Rochelle yet just how she has saved Chris' life.

"She is amazing."