A WOMAN who opened up her Rowley Regis home to strangers seeking shelter following a car crash has been honoured by the region's most senior police officer for her selfless actions.

Mary Woolvin received the highest accolade the force can bestow on a member of the public from West Midlands Police's chief constable Chris Sims at a Good Citizens’ awards night.

The 61-year-old provided warmth and comfort to a mother and her three children after they were involved in a three car smash earlier this year and provided tea to the emergency services.

The shocked mum, aged 31, and her children, aged one, six and nine, were cold and frightened after the crash in Newbury Lane, which blocked the road.

Police cars and fire engines came across the aftermath of the accident while on their way to a large blaze atsrated by arsonists at St Michael’s CE High School in nearby Throne Road.

PC Adam Beckett, who nominated Mrs Woolvin for the award, said: "While many people were stood around watching the emergency services respond to the crash, some of them even filming the young family on mobile phones, Mrs Woolvin was the only person to step out of the crowd and offer to help."

"The good Samaritan could see how upset the family were and how the emergency services needed to focus their attention on clearing the road so that they could tackle the fire at the nearby school.”

Four 13-year-old boys from Warley were arrested in connection with February’s arson attack.