AN Otley woman saved a boy from drowning in her hotel pool - just two weeks after learning to swim.

Anne Marie Beddis, 48, of Farnley Lane, was enjoying a leisurely dip at the Hotel Vista Bella near Barcelona when she spotted the four-year-old and his elder sister at the poolside.

Mrs Beddis said: "The little girl, who was about eight years old, got into the pool and told her brother to stay where he was. But after a couple of minutes he jumped in and went straight under. His sister was screaming his name.

"Even though I was panicking inside I knew that I had to do something. I just swam over as quickly as I could and just pulled him out. The children just ran away without a word.

"There was no-one else around. I was horrified that two young children had been left alone like that. There was absolutely no sign of the parents.

"If I hadn't been able to swim, that little boy would have drowned."

When Mrs Beddis, 48, returned from her holiday, she presented Sonya Smith, her swimming instructor at Dragons Health Club in Yeadon, with a bouquet of flowers.

Instructor Sonya added: "I am extremely proud of her. She achieved more in eight lessons than anyone I have taught before at Dragons."

Mrs Beddis said that she was pressed into swimming because of a back injury which meant she could not always train in a gym. She was also pressured to learn the skill by her two grown-up daughters.

She added: "Learning to swim has done wonders for my confidence. I hadn't bought a swimming costume since I'd had to wear a horrible regulation one at school so I treated myself to a nice swimsuit for lessons and my

holiday with my husband.

"It is so important to be able to swim. You're never too old to learn. I know it's a clich but if I can do it, anyone can."