BEST friends have an unbreakable bond.

And none is stronger than that between Anna Jones and Emily Hughes.

Not only do these Mold youngsters share a love of dancing and X Factor but they live next door to each other too.

But the one thing that brought them closer than most was saving a man’s life.
Anna, 10, and Emily, 11, were at a funfair when a man collapsed in front of them clutching his chest with a suspected heart attack.

The quick-thinking pair, who are St John Ambulance cadets, stayed with the man and reassured him until help arrived.

Earlier this month they had tea with Princess Anne at Buckingham Palace to celebrate their act of bravery.

The princess, commander-in-chief of St John Ambulance, met the girls and 11 other young members of St John Ambulance who have shown exceptional behaviour.

Anna said: “Emily stayed with the man while I ran for help.

“He had a heart attack and the ambulance took him to hospital. I also dressed a wound when my friend fell over.”

Ysgol Glanrafon pupil Anna loves her role in the cadets.

She said: “We go on duty to fetes, concerts, sports events and we have learned about the ambulance and how to use radios.

“I do fundraising for my division and I am on first aid duties.

“I have made lots of friends of all ages.

“We get to learn first aid skills through fun activities.

“I was very excited to meet Princess Anne because I have never met a member of the royal family before and I have never seen the palace.”

Being a cadet runs in the family because Anna’s brother Scott, 14, also volunteers with St John Ambulance.

Proud mum Grace, who is also a fundraiser for the cadets, said: “I’m so proud that Anna was able to put into practice what she had learned.

“Anna has also given up a lot of her time to fundraise and go on duty.

“I hope she remains with the organisation for many years to come.”

Ysgol Bryn Coch pupil Emily also has parents Adrian and Angela beaming with pride.

Adrian said: “We’re obviously really proud that they didn’t panic and that they went to fetch help.”

Bob Broughton, chief commander for St John Ambulance in Wales, said: “I’m delighted that we were able to send so many young members to the palace to meet Her Royal Highness Princess Anne.

“It’s so pleasing that we had so many exceptional representatives going from all over Wales to such a prestigious occasion.”

- The Mold Division of St John Ambulance Cadets meet on Wednesdays at Tyddyn Street Church Hall, Mold, at 6pm.

It is holding a sponsored bag pack event at the Co-operative supermarket in Mold today between 10am and 3pm and all proceeds will go towards a new 4x4 ambulance.