A POOL attendant who pulled a drowning man from 13ft of water and saved his life has been given the highest award possible from the Royal Lifesavers' Society.

Claire Nicholas, 20, was one of a team of four commended by the organisation after they pulled a man from the bottom of a pool and revived the man.

Shaun Hicks, from Darlington, had jumped from the second board into the diving pool at the town's Dolphin Centre.

After he plunged to the bottom, some 13ft below, and failed to return to the surface, Claire blew her whistle and jumped in.

After dragging him back to the top, Claire's colleague, Paul Forrest, helped her get Mr Hicks onto the pool-side.

There, Paul, 31, and Nicola Mills, 19, resuscitated prone Mr Hicks.

Even then, they had to battle to stop the swimmer, who had gone into shock, from fighting to break free from his rescuers.

It took four people to hold him down and stop him from injuring himself further.

After being treated in Darlington Memorial Hospital, Mr Hicks returned to the centre, in Darlington's Horsemarket, to thank the plucky lifesavers.

Claire, from Howden-le-Wear, County Durham, was yesterday presented with the certificate of meritorious action for her efforts by Councillor Dot Long, mayor of Darlington.

Paul, Nicola and their supervisor Darren McGuinness, 29, who oversaw the operation, all from Darlington, each received certificates of commendation from the society for their parts in the drama.

They had been recommended for the awards by Terry Collins, manager of the Darlington Borough Council-run centre, who watched as the events unfurled back in February.

A spokesman for the Royal Lifesaving Society said the four were "obviously part of a professional and well trained team".

Delighted Claire said: "I am thrilled to receive such a prestigious award."

Mr Collins said the awards were a testimony to the hard work and training at the centre.

He said: "Congratulations to all involved. The incident reflects the ongoing high levels of staff training at the Dolphin Centre.