A TEENAGER has thanked the lifeguards who saved his life after he suffered an epileptic fit.

Liam O'Riordan was given the kiss of life by a lifeguard at Scarborough's indoor swimming pool, in North Yorkshire, after losing consciousness.

The 19-year-old was with a group of friends from Grangetown Boys' Club, on Teesside, when he became ill in the pool.

He was spotted immediately and a lifeguard jumped into the water and went to his aid.

He was rushed to Scarborough General Hospital where he was treated and discharged the following day.

A borough council spokesman said the public had been cleared from the pool instantly and the correct procedures had been followed. He said staff had not previously been notified of the Liam's condition, despite notices being displayed.

His mother, Sharon, said: "It was his fault he had not informed them.

"He does suffer from epilepsy - something he does not want to admit.

"He just developed it at the age of 14 and has not quite come to terms with it.''

As a grateful Liam returned to the pool to present staff with a thank-you card and gift, his mother said: "He is doing the best he can to get on with life, but he is struggling to find a job.

"Whoever tries to employ him can never deal with his fits - not that it's their fault.''

Liam is on a camping holiday with the club at Scarborough. It was only when pool staff rang his home at Grangetown, near Middlesbrough, to inquire after him, that his mother found out about the incident.

She said she told him: "Liam, I can't believe you went into a swimming pool.''

She said she often finds Liam's best way of dealing with his condition is trying to ignore it. Mrs O'Riordan and her husband, Cornelius, hope their son will outgrow his epilepsy.