A DIY enthusiast broke off from painting a gate to rescue an 86-year-old woman from her smoke-filled home.

Gary Knowles, aged 37, was at the back of his house in Markland Hill Lane, Doffcocker, Bolton, when he heard next door neighbour Joyce Green scream.

Mrs Green had intended to cook a piece of chicken in the oven but accidentally switched on a chip pan sitting on the hotplate.

Mr Knowles said: "I heard her shouting my name and ran to the house but I couldn't get in at first because the smoke was too thick.

"So I tried again with my shirt over my face. The back door was unlocked and I was able to get in and drag Mrs Green out."

Mrs Green has difficulty walking and uses a stick.

She said: "The smoke was dreadfully thick and I couldn't find the door to get out.

"I have been in hospital and can't walk very well. If I had fallen on the floor I wouldn't have been able to get up again.

"I am very grateful to Mr Knowles because he saved my life.

"It was a good job that he was in the back yard. Luckily he heard the shouting and got to me in no time."

Mr Knowles said: "There is no big deal about it. I am just grateful that I was able to get her out and thankful that she only weighs eight stone.

"If she had been heavier it is possible I wouldn't have been able to drag her out. I just did what anyone else would have done."

Mr Knowles carried Mrs Green into his house and made sure she was comfortable on the couch before phoning the emergency services.

He then went next door again, switched the cooker off and carried the blazing chip pan outside.

Firemen arrived and gave Mrs Green and Mr Knowles oxygen. They were taken to hospital for the afternoon but were not detained.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.