A heroic rescue mission saw a pensioner home safe and sound after she was separated from her friends.

Members of the Severn Area Rescue Association lifeboat crew based at Beachley in the Forest of Dean successfully rescued the pensioner, who had been missing for several hours in the Wye Valley last Thursday.

The pensioner became separated from friends in the afternoon while walking in the Wye Valley near Penallt and Redbrook, close to the River Wye.

The SARA team were asked by police later in the evening to commence a search of the River Wye and a land search of the area.

The team, led by search manager Tim Carter and working with Gloucestershire and Monmouthshire police forces, managed to locate the pensioner safe and well at around 10.30pm.

The woman, who did not give her name, said: "I had never been so pleased to hear somebody when SARA found me and so thankful SARA exists."

A family member added: "We wish to thank all at SARA for their dedication, commitment and skill for finding our mum."

Source: thisisgloucestershire.co.uk