Three lifeguards from the Western Swimming Pool in Peel were guests at a recent awards event in the Guildhall in London.

Breesha Laing, Stephanie Brew and Kirstyn Horne - as well as assistant manager Phil Littlejohns - each received a Certificate of Meritorious Lifeguards from the UK’s drowning prevention charity, the Royal Life Saving Society UK, in honour of their outstanding efforts.

Phil said: It is a great honour to be recognised by the national RLSS UK and a wonderful experience for the staff team at the Western Swimming Pool to be able to attend these celebrations.’

He added: ’We were just doing our job but realise how this job can sometimes mean the difference between life and death.’

Last May the team spotted a female swimmer getting into difficulty during an aquafit session for seniors.

They helped her out of the pool and as soon as they identified that the woman was suffering a stroke, called for an ambulance.

The woman’s condition quickly deteriorated and she stopped breathing.

The team administered CPR.

A paramedic arrived 15 minutes later and helped the team with CPR until the ambulance arrived.

They were presented with Certificates of Meritous Lifeguards in recognition of their courage in dealing with a woman in great distress.

Without their quick actions this lady would not have recovered.

Also from the Isle of Man to receive various other awards were Carolyn Brown, Berta Convery, Tony Corlett, Angela Katz, Rob Keelan,Tom Kirkman, Dawn Marshall, Krysy Wheeldon and Louise Wilson.