a man saved his mother when she was in trouble in the sea without realising it was her while they were away from the region on holiday.

Howard Holmes had been in Spain's Costa Dorada, with his wife Gina, 17-month-old son Elliot and parents Marion and George when the incident occurred. All four adults had made their way to the beach during their seven-day holiday at Salou, near Barcelona, earlier this month, but had done different things once they arrived.

Mr Holmes reacted quickly when he heard screams coming from the sea and saw a woman in the water waving her hands.

"We didn't realise it was Marion when we first heard the calls. Howard just did what most people would and rushed out to help," said Mrs Holmes, 31.

"She was wearing a bathing hat and she is a non-swimmer, so we would never expect her to be that far out."

Mr Holmes' 71-year-old mother, from Harrogate, North Yorkshire, had drifted out beyond her depth.

"I waded out to her. It was only when I got out of my depth that I got a really good look at the person and realised it was my mother," said 43-year-old Mr Holmes, of Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire.