AN ASDA member of staff who saved a customer’s life has received a top award.

Lauren Watt went to the aid of Lisa Colborne, who collapsed while visiting the Tranent store last year.

Now, 31-year-old Lauren has been awarded the Superstore North Colleague Hero of the Year by the supermarket chain for her work over the last year.

Since winning the award, Lauren has also been promoted to replenishment section manager of the store.

East Lothian Courier: Lauren Watt has received an award for her efforts at Tranent's Asda store

She said: “I was absolutely over the moon when I found out I had won this award – I really did not expect to win, especially when I read the amazing stories of the finalists.

“All of my colleagues and those from nearby Asda stores were supporting me through this process, and I feel really grateful for everything.”

Lauren, who lives in the town, was just finishing her shift at the High Street store when she received a phone call to say Lisa, 39, had collapsed by the front door.

First aid-trained Lauren quickly stepped forward to help Lisa and carried out life-saving cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for 15 minutes until paramedics arrived.

Lisa was taken to Edinburgh’s Western General Hospital and had an emergency operation for a ruptured aneurysm on her brain, while she also developed pneumonia.

She spent two weeks in hospital before being allowed home.

Following the incident, Lauren told the Courier: “It’s a really proud feeling that Lisa’s here today because of what I did.

“The paramedics said that if I hadn’t kept Lisa’s bloods flowing by administering CPR she would no longer be with us.

“I’m just so happy that I’ve helped her stay to with her family.”

Lauren received 2,000 Star Points from Asda, which can be exchanged for monetary vouchers, including hundreds of benefits within the store or online.

Her Tranent colleagues say that Lauren is “a true hero”.

She has been commended by colleagues for her extremely fast reactions when she received an urgent call for help, and for keeping calm in such a difficult situation.

Peter McAloon, general store manager at Asda Tranent, was delighted for his colleague.

He said: “Winning this award was such a good opportunity for Lauren to get recognised for her compassion and kindness towards her fellow colleagues and customers.

“I joined Tranent as general store manager last year and since then Lauren really has come on leaps and bounds – it has been a pleasure to watch her grow.

“This is just a small example of how kind she is – she does kind, selfless things like this regularly.

“Well done Lauren!”