A hero Ceredigion schoolboy who saved people stuck on rocks at sea not once but twice has been honoured with a prestigious award for his “quick thinking and bravery”.

Steffan Williams, an 11-year-old Year 7 pupil at Ysgol Bro Teifi in Llandysul, has been given a gold Blue Peter badge for assisting in two rescues when he was only eight.

The badge is the show’s highest accolade, usually reserved for famous recipients like the Queen and Sir David Attenborough. Only a handful are presented each year.

Steffan wrote to Blue Peter last year telling them what had happened during the last week of his summer school holidays three years ago.

“I was only eight years old when I rescued people from the rocks,” Steffan said.

“The first time was with my kayak and dinghy during the day, but the second time that week was more dangerous and serious when I found two boys stuck on the same rocks but it was getting dark quickly and the tide was rising fast.”

Steffan said he was “shocked” to receive the badge, which was presented to him by New Quay RNLI coxswain Daniel Potter, who said: “We are very proud of Steffan. He is a lifeboat crewman in the making.”

Describing the second rescue, Steffan said: “They were cold and hungry and supposed to be back with their parents in their caravan but had no battery left on their mobiles to ask for help. So I went back to the pier and told my parents and we called 999 and asked for the Coastguard. The lifeboat was launched and got them to safety.”

Steffan said he wants to join the lifeboat crew for real when he is old enough.

“I am so shocked and really proud to receive the Blue Peter Gold Badge as it’s so special,” he said.

“It’s even better to receive it from my hero, Daniel Potter, as when I am 17 I want to join the crew and then work towards being the youngest coxswain in the UK.”

A Blue Peter spokesperson said: “For Steffan’s quick thinking, bravery and for helping others we’re awarding him our highest honour, which is a Gold Blue Peter Badge.”

Daniel said they were proud of Steffan, adding: “He did the right thing and called for help for the young boys stuck on the rocks.”