A WOMAN who nearly drowned when she fell into a frozen pond, last night thanked the rescuers who saved her life.

Elizabeth Jones said she knew she had had a lucky escape after becoming stranded in the icy pond on the outskirts of Bishop Middleham, County Durham, on Saturday morning.

Mrs Jones was saved when mother and daughter Liz and Caroline Baird, who also live in the village, spotted her while walking their dogs and raised the alarm.

Caroline, a cross country runner who represents her school, Durham High, at county level, ran for nearly a mile until she found a party of walkers.

The 16-year-old asked to use one of their mobile phones to call 999 while her mother, a registered nurse, stayed with Mrs Jones until the rescue crews arrived.

Firefighters Steven Binns and Paul Myers waded and dragged Mrs Jones, who is in her 50s, to safety.

She spent two nights at the University Hospital of North Tees, in Stockton, recovering from hypothermia.

A relative of Mrs Jones' said last night: "She knows she has had a very lucky escape."

"She really wants to thank the fire crews, the police and all the well-wishers who have helped.

"She especially wants to thank the mother and daughter who called for help and stayed with her while she was stuck in the pond.

"She spent a couple of nights in hospital, but is at home resting now, she feels a bit battered and bruised but will be okay."

She said Mrs Jones had stepped on to the ice to rescue one of her two dogs, who had wandered off and fallen into the water.

Eyewitness Jessamy Dale, who was with the walking group from Stockton, also praised the rescuers for their heroics.

She said: "I have no doubt that the lady would have drowned had she been in there much longer.

"The girl was so calm and her mother so sensible, she kept saying she felt she should go in, but it obviously wasn't the right thing to do, or she'd have been in trouble too.

"They really deserve an award for the way they acted."