A pensioner saved the life of her 87-year-old neighbour who spent a night trapped in a bath.

The woman got stuck in her bathtub last Tuesday evening in her flat in Willow Road, Wallington, after she could not lift her large frame out of the water.

But she was saved by her best friend and neighbour, Joyce Hayes, 84, who came to check on her the next day, more than 12 hours later.

The woman had suffered a heart attack, but saved herself from hyperthermia in the freezing water of the bath by removing the plug with her toes to let the water out.

Mrs Hayes, said: “I knew something was wrong when I arrived because her paper was in the door and the lights were on.

"I let myself in and shouted to her. I heard her crying out in panic and that’s when I rushed in to the bathroom and saw her there.”

She called an ambulance, but firefighters needed to be called to lift the woman out of the bath.

She was taken to St Helier Hospital, where she is still recovering.

Firefighters who attended the scene credited Mrs Hayes with saving the woman’s life.

Marion Harper, director of Age UK, Sutton, said: “She is a real lifesaver and an example of what we are looking for in our community – people who will come forward and keep an eye on elderly people living in their areas.”

Mrs Hayes said: “I’m not a hero, I was just helping my friend.”

The women have been friends for more than 50 years.

The rescued woman will be receiving a Sutton Button, a panic alarm to put people in touch with the authorities in an emergency, and more home care, when she leaves hospital.

The incident echoed the heroics of Godolphin Close resident Sue Sadler, who came to the rescue of a neighbour trapped in the bath for four days in February this year.

Anyone concerned about elderly people in their area can contact Age UK’s first contact service on 0845 6001090.