A mum has praised the bravery of her two daughters after the younger sibling severed her finger in a kitchen cupboard.Seventeen-year-old Amy-Marie Barrett had been looking after her little sister, 21-month-old Alice Goodwin, at their home in Greenwood Drive, Scarning, when the toddler got her little finger on her right hand trapped in a corner cupboard on October 27.

A mum has praised the bravery of her two daughters after the younger sibling severed her finger in a kitchen cupboard.

Seventeen-year-old Amy-Marie Barrett had been looking after her little sister, 21-month-old Alice Goodwin, at their home in Greenwood Drive, Scarning, when the toddler got her little finger on her right hand trapped in a corner cupboard on October 27.

Quick-thinking Amy-Marie wrapped up her sister's finger in a tea towel, called the emergency services, and rescued the top third of Alice's finger that had been chopped off so that surgeon's could reattach it to Alice's hand.

Miss Barrett said: 'It was awful. Alice was in tears. She knew she had hurt her finger but I was trying not to let her see how bad it was.'

Their mum, 37-year-old Michaela Goodwin, who rushed straight home from work after Amy-Marie alerted her to what had happened, said: 'They were both so brave. I am very proud of them. When I got home Amy was holding Alice with her finger wrapped up and talking to the ambulance service on the phone. I took over and then Amy went to the garage to get a screwdriver and undid the cupboard door to get the top part of Alice's finger and put it in a bag for the paramedics.

'The paramedics and the doctors said Amy-Marie did everything right and I just want to say a big thank you to Amy-Marie. She was amazing.'

Mrs Goodwin went with Alice to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital where the toddler underwent an operation that night to save her finger.

She stayed in hospital overnight before being allowed home the next day and now the family are now waiting to see if the operation has been a success.

Mrs Goodwin, who also has two sons, two step-daughters and one step-son, said: 'Alice is coping really well. She is dealing with it as best she can and starting to use her right hand again.'

Miss Barrett, who said what happened had made her and her sister even closer, added: 'The doctors have said Alice's finger looks like it is healing nicely but the top part of it could drop off if it does not take. Alice is such a brave little girl.'