Crowds of shoppers watched as Andrew Wright, 20, and teenager Christopher Perrin tried to resuscitate the Knutsford pensioner.

"They were absolutely superb and we're all very proud of them," said deputy manager Joanne McGarry.

The trained first aiders had given the woman mouth-to-mouth and heart massage, but she was later pronounced dead at Macclesfield Hospital.

Trainee manager Andrew and Christopher were busy elsewhere in the store when the 80-year-old woman was taken ill on Thursday.

"I was called over and I knew by the tone of voice something was wrong," said Andrew, who had only worked in the store for a few weeks.

"I didn't panic because I was just focused on helping," said Christopher, 18.

Supervisor Denise Baiton rang paramedics and shouted extra instructions to the two young men.

"We worked well together and it wasn't until after that you feel the shock," said Andrew.

"We didn't say much about it afterwards, but we felt we had kept her alive and did the best we could."

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