The hero dinner lady who died saving five children in the Aberfan disaster

On 21 October 1966, as a primary school and surrounding homes in Aberfan were engulfed by slurry from a collapsed coal tip, a dinner lady was collecting money from pupils.

Within moments, 144 people were dead, including 116 children, on what was the last day of class at Pantglas Junior School before the half-term holiday.

But five children were saved that day by the heroic actions of Nansi Williams, who died shielding the group.

"Apparently she was holding as much of us as she could, and trying to get us under a table," said Aberfan survivor Paul Harries, who has spoken to the media for the first time.

Harries, who was aged six at the time, was one of the five who was found alive under Williams' body.

"She gave everything to give us a future, and she lost everything, he said.

"Nansi Williams was a hero. A true hero. My hero."

He continued: "If it hadn't been for Nansi Williams, then instead of 116 children dying that morning it would have been 121.

"It would have been us, 100%."

As the 60th anniversary of the disaster approaches, Williams will be honoured with a purple plaque, external to commemorate her courage.

"She was trying to protect children," she said.

"She died, and they lived."

Bickley believes there are many people who should be recognised for their courage on that day, but agreed Williams was a hero.

"I think Nansi went way, way beyond what she needed to do," she said.

"She could have saved her own life. She cared more for the children."

Nansi's godson, Dai Powell, campaigned for greater recognition and said stories of what happened were passed down through his family for decades.

"My ultimate hero. No-one will ever touch her," he said.

"We'd all like to think we'd do the same thing, but until it happens we don't really know.