POLICE officer Adrian Wells is to be recommended for an award by the family of 87-year-old Devizes widow Elsie Pearcey, whose life he saved.

PC Wells, 44, was in the Wiltshire police helicopter when he spotted Mrs Pearcey lying on the ground in her back garden on the Moonrakers estate in London Road.

Mrs Pearcey had fallen over while hanging out her washing. She was unable to get up and lay helpless for seven hours on one of the hottest days of June.

Mrs Pearcey said: Adrian is my hero and he should get an award. I might not have been here if I hadn't been found.

Her granddaughter, Angela Heasman, of Rowde, said: It's lucky he looked down at the precise moment he did and saw Nan. If Adrian hadn't seen her she might not be here today.

PC Wells, police observer with the Air Support Unit, spotted Mrs Pearcey as the helicopter was returning to headquarters on June 19.

I looked down and I just happened to catch sight of somebody lying face down with things scattered around on the patio, he said.

Paramedic Jeff White said: She told us she had been out there for seven hours and I honestly don't think she would have survived the night if she hadn't been spotted.

Mrs Pearcey suffered a bump to her head and sunburn on the back of her legs and was treated at Devizes Hosptial.