A KEEN horsewoman whose life was saved by an air ambulance will show her gratitude this weekend by handing over more than £1,500 to keep the helicopters flying.

A year ago this month, Marian Coutts, from Wearside, suffered serious injuries when she was thrown from her horse during a dressage event at Swarland, in Northumberland.

Her horse, Rodney, stumbled and rolled on top of Miss Coutts, breaking her pelvis in six places, and she was airlifted to Newcastle General Hospital.

Despite the remoteness of the location, Miss Coutts arrived at hospital less than 30 minutes after the accident and was able to make a full recovery - returning to the saddle earlier this summer.

Over the past three months, Miss Coutts has organised a series of dressage events at Houghall College, in Durham City, to raise funds for the air ambulance service.

She said: "So far we have raised at least £1,500 for the air ambulance and there is more coming in.

"Without the air ambulance, I probably wouldn't be here now. We in the horse world have a particular interest in seeing the service running because of the rural locations of a lot of our events."

On Saturday, the fundraising campaign will culminate in a prize-giving cabaret night at Durham County Cricket Club's Riverside ground, in Chester-le-Street.

The event features entertainment including Kevin King as Freddie Mercury, Mal C and Eddie Barron, along with a raffle.

Tickets, which include a disco and buffet, are £10 and are available by calling 0191-522 0890 or 07815 143649.

The night will also include presentations to the riders who won the four dressage categories during the summer events.