A TOP cop has heaped praise on quick-thinking cadets who rushed to the aid of a spectator who collapsed at the Great North Run.

An elderly female came into trouble as she watched the early stages of Sunday’s half-marathon race between Newcastle and South Shields.

With the woman conscious and breathing but clearly shaken, the caring cadets manoeuvred the crowds to give her space and administered first aid as they waited for ambulance staff to arrive.

Chief Inspector David Pickett, Northumbria Police’s Silver Commander for the Great North Run said; “Our volunteer cadets gave up their own time to support our officers and staff at the event, and this incident highlighted the real and positive difference that they make every single week.

“The are a credit to the force.”