A GRATEFUL grandmother last night paid tribute to two council workers who came to her aid after a fall in her home.

Eighty-four-year-old Connie Fernie needed hospital treatment after she fell in the lounge of her home, in Guisborough.

She found was unable to get back on her feet after the tumble, earlier this summer.

But fortunately, Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's Junk Job collectors, Dave Hunter and Richard Hogg, were visiting next door.

Neighbour Betty Bowden raised concerns to the council workers because she had not seen her friend all morning.

After knocking on her door without a response, the pair gained entry to the house, found Ms Fernie on the floor and called an ambulance.

Ms Fernie said: "I'm so grateful to the lads. They were wonderful. It has been an awful time for me, but I'm on the mend now and just wanted to say thanks to them."

Neighbour Ms Bowden said: "When we knocked on the door, we couldn't get a reply, so the lads decided to act - and I'm so glad they did."

Mr Hunter said: "We've only done what anyone else in our position would do. We were only too pleased to be in a position to help."

Ms Fernie was reunited with her rescuers at her home yesterday where she thanked them personally.

The council's mayor, Councillor Wendy Wall, said: "This quick-thinking and prompt action by Dave and Richard certainly goes beyond the call of duty.