A POSTWOMAN who waded into the River Ouse to save a woman’s life has received a national award for her bravery.

Quick-thinking Caroline Britton saved a suicidal woman from taking her own life when during an evening dog walk she spotted her standing in a treacherous stretch of the river.

Now the 46-year-old has been honoured with Royal Mail chief executive Moya Green’s UK award for bravery.

Caroline, who works at the delivery office in Huntington, York, chanced on the woman in distress while out walking.

“I thought at first she was confused and had wandered in, but when I called out to her she said she wanted to die," she recalled.

“I called 999 and made a joke that I would have to wade in, in my pants to help her. I just did it without thinking and was up to my chest in water.

“I hugged and reassured her and took her to safety; a boat went by but didn’t stop. The ambulance didn’t arrive until I had got her to safety."