An heroic teenager whose mother committed suicide last year has been praised by police after he jumped into an icy river to save a woman from drowning.

Sean Hammersley said the tragic death of his mother led him to strip off and dive into the River Tees during a hailstorm at the weekend.

"My mam committed suicide last year - she took an overdose - and I thought 'I'm not going to let someone else lose their mam'," he said.

"I didn't want anyone else to go through what I went through when my mam died, so I just jumped in and tried to save her."

The 18-year-old, who works at Barclaycard in Stockton as an account manager, was in the works caf with colleagues at about 1pm on Saturday when they noticed a woman outside acting strangely.

She was sat alone on a bench beside the River Tees, with her face towards the driving hail.

"We saw the lady sat on a bench, but when I looked up again, her boots were on the floor and she was in the river," said Sean.

"I took my top off and ran straight outside. I just jumped over the fence and plopped in. It took my breath away for a good four or give seconds because it was so cold, but I managed to drag her to the side and a few people helped me to pull her out."

Sean, of Rutland Court, Middlesbrough, said the woman lay motionless in the water, but he repeatedly told her to keep breathing as he dragged her to safety.

"I was really scared, and I couldn't feel my legs," he added.

"I was trying to wade out of the water, but I couldn't feel my legs. I remember feeling that my movements were really restricted.

"I think I pulled her about 25m in total. I was exhausted and extremely cold.

"It was one of the worst experiences of my life, but one of the most rewarding."

Both Sean and the 51-year-old woman were taken to University Hospital of North Tees, but both were discharged later that same day.

Police said the woman, who was visiting the area from her home in Bristol, had jumped into the river.

Sergeant John Sproson said: "What Sean did was very courageous and had it not been for his quick-thinking and brave actions, this lady may well have died.

"But we want to take this opportunity to warn people that the River Tees is extremely cold and dangerous at any time of the year, let alone in winter."