A HERO teenager from West Dorset was treated to a VIP reception at the British Prime Minister’s home before being whisked to a star-studded awards ceremony.

Matt Robinson, 18, was among four members of the public who were in the running for a hero award at an annual awards ceremony held by The Fire Fighters Charity.

The national charity nominated the Abbotsbury youngster after he risked his own safety to save five children when a neighbours’ house caught fire in West Street.

Apprentice mechanic Matt and the other nominees enjoyed an action-packed day in London which began with a reception from newly-appointed Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Eric Pickles.

Matt said: “I didn’t get to meet Prime Minister David Cameron because he was up in Cumbria, visiting the victims of the shooting and their families.

“We met Mr Pickles and went to Number 10 and had a couple of drinks in the garden. It was quite posh. There wasn’t much furniture but there were pictures everywhere of the old Prime Ministers.”

Accompanied by his girlfriend, Charlotte Bligh, Matt mingled with the likes of Bruce Forsyth and Simon Weston at the black tie awards do at Wembley Stadium in the evening.

Matt narrowly missed out on the ‘adult public hero’ trophy but said he was honoured to have been invited.

He added: “My girlfriend liked it, she had to buy two dresses – one for the reception and another for the awards night.”

Matt, who attends Weymouth College two days a week and works at Bridport Car Repair Centre, will be recognised next month at the Dorset Fire Fighters Awards, held at Lulworth Castle on July 13.

Mr Pickles who attended the reception in the absence of the Prime Minster, read out a special message from David Cameron, who said: “Each and every one of you are shining examples of society. You should be tremendously proud of your achievements.”