FIVE young people who helped save the life of a stabbing victim were honoured by their town.

Maurice Chambers, Rhys Jones, Tim Parks, Hollie Hughes and Bradley Thompson went to the aid of Helen Ball after she was stabbed by her ex-husband in the centre of Caldicot.

Maurice, Rhys, Tim and Hollie were presented with town plaques by the Mayor of Caldicot Councillor Maria Stephens in recognition of their selfless courage. Bradley was unable to be at the presentation at Caldicot Town Council.

Councillor Stephens said: "I am feeling three emotions: one is sadness at the incident that we need to talk about, the second is happiness that you are all here and the third is pride at what you did.

"What you did was incredibly brave and helped save a life."

The friends were walking along Sandy Lane in July last year when a blood-soaked woman came running towards them pursued by her ex-husband, Michael Ball, armed with a carving knife.

He had already stabbed her 11 times in her home and was restrained by the group until the police came.

Ball admitted attempted murder and was jailed for 13 and a half years in December.

Mr Jones said: "I think about it every time I go past the place."