A Burley-IN-WHARFEDALE pub landlady was dramatically rescued by an air ambulance after falling while trying to protect her premises from the recent floods.

Babs Hern, 46, who runs the Red Lion, on Main Street, tripped and banged her head as she tried to stop water surging into the pub.

Soon after, the Yorkshire Air Ambulance helicopter - which had only been operating for a week - touched down in the pub car park and whisked the unconscious Mrs Hern to Airedale Hospital.

Pub regular Tom Sumner saw the accident and rushed to help Mrs Hern.

He said: "I was out taking photos of the flood and saw Babs fall from the other side of the road. One of the tables she was using to barricade the pub fell on her and pushed her back."

Mr Sumner, 52, of Sandholme Drive, raced over and put Mrs Hern in the recovery position, with the help of assistant pub manager Mike Binks, while an ambulance was called.

Then, for a tense 20 minutes, Mr Sumner struggled to keep Mrs Hern dry while pub chef Denise Arnott stayed in constant contact with the ambulance crew.

"I was knelt in the water for about 20 minutes and both Babs and I got very wet and very cold," said Mr Sumner, a qualified first-aider. "She was unconscious for most of it and never opened her eyes but mumbled something at one point about owing me a pint. I think her temperature must have gone down.

"We were surprised when we saw the helicopter over above us. We thought it was taking pictures of the floods but then it landed outside the pub."

In fact, the air ambulance, introduced by West Yorkshire Ambulance Service and based at Leeds/Bradford airport, had taken its very first flight only a week before.

Mrs Hern remembers nothing of the accident, which happened last Wednesday afternoon, or the emergency dash to hospital.

"Tom was across the road and he waved - then I must have slipped because the next thing I remember I was flying through the air," said Mrs Hern. "That was it. I remember coming round in the hospital - I lost about four hours.

She added: "If I'd have known I was going in a helicopter I would have taken the bus!"

In fact, Mrs Hern had hypothermia but was well enough to leave the hospital that evening and return home to husband Chris.

"I can't thank the ambulance crew enough nor can I express my gratitude to the people of Burley who rallied round to help me," she said. "I've bought Tom a hot water bottle as a thank you to keep him warm."

A spokesman for West Yorkshire Ambulance Service said the air ambulance, now operating throughout much of Yorkshire, would have been used because of the severe weather conditions.

The Yorkshire Air Ambulance is a charity and receives no central funding from the Government. Donations can be made by ringing 0845 1206060.