A PENSIONER was dragged from her burning home by a passing milkman in the early hours of this morning.

Dennis Hinchcliffe, 65, rescued the unnamed 78-year-old shortly after 3am after seeing smoke coming from her house in Galgate, Barnard Castle in Teesdale, County Durham.

Mr Hinchcliffe was on his rounds when he saw the fire from about 400 yards away and leapt into action.

The house was virtually destroyed by the fire and the woman was taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital. Firefighters were still pumping water into the house several hours after the blaze was reported.

Mr Hinchcliffe said: "I know the old girl very well, and I shouted 'are you there?'. She replied 'I'm here' and I just pulled her out.

"She was up and dressed, she had fallen asleep in front of the fire and somehow it spread. She seemed alright and in fact I breathed in more smoke than her.

"She was wanting to show the fire brigade where her kitchen was so they could get some water. I told her they brought their own."

It is said to be the second fire at the lady's home in less than five years.

For the full story, read tomorrow's Northern Echo.