A CULCHETH mum is urging parents to learn first aid skills after her daughter began choking and she had no idea what to do.

It may have been 10 years ago but Naomi Simpson has never forgotten what it was like to see her daughter Hannah’s face go white and her lips turn blue.

Hannah, who now attends Newchurch Primary School, was only one when she began choking on a piece of apple in her high chair.

Naomi, of York Avenue, said: “Her chest was heaving in and out while she was trying to gasp for air.

“In desperation, while waiting for paramedics to arrive, my husband Phil leant her forwards and gave two sharp smacks on her back and fortunately the piece of apple shot out of her mouth.

“Instantly the colour drained back into her face. By the time paramedics arrived she was smiling again.

“If my husband hadn’t been there I hate to think what could have happened.”

Naomi, who runs Forget-Me-Not Toys and Books in Common Lane, is now looking forward to hosting a ‘Bumps and Bashes’ first aid class at her Culcheth business.

She wants to help prevent other parents going through similar traumatic experiences.

Naomi added: “What happened was very traumatic to the point that if I think I hear someone choking, my mind goes straight back to when Hannah was a baby with that awful panicking feeling in my stomach.

“If I’d known what to do, I would have been much calmer. “When I heard about this course I wanted to offer it to our customers so that hopefully their families never have to go through what we did and are much better equipped to deal with any emergency.”

 The course takes place at the shop from 10am to 12.30pm on Monday and costs £25 per person. To book a place or for more details, call 765187 or call in to the shop.