A HOLIDAYMAKER who was seriously injured when she fell on rocks at a west Dorset beach has praised the rescue teams who went to her aid.

Mariola Constandinou, aged 71, was so grateful for the help of those who helped her after she fell on rocks at Charmouth she sent them a video of the incident in case they want to use it for training sessions.

Mrs Constandinou, from the West Midlands, was on a family visit to the area in May when the fall occurred.

In a letter just received by the volunteers at the RNLI lifeboat station in Lyme Regis she wrote: "Dear Heroes. It was a lovely sunny day and I was enjoying my time with my grandson and family strolling along the beach.

"At the age of 71 I thought I was young enough to clamber over the rocks and look into the different pools.

"Unfortunately, I was a little too confident and lost my balance, fell backwards into one of the rock pools and split my head open.

"I also damaged my pelvis and spine. The doctor said I was very lucky to be alive.

"My guardian angel was working overtime that day."

Mrs Constandinou said she wanted to thank the RNLI, coastguards, first response paramedic, ambulance crew and the hospital ‘for your fantastic help in rescuing me.’ She said she spent two months recovering while she stayed with her daughter.

And she revealed that her daughter, Christthea had filmed the entire incident.

Mrs Constandinou said watching it gave her an insight into the rescue operation and the extent of her operations and she felt it could be of assistance to her rescuers.

She wrote to the RNLI volunteers:"My son in law has produced a DVD for you of what you did, and I hope you could use it for training purposes if you choose to do so."

Mrs Constandinou added:"I felt ashamed of all the bother I had caused you and endangering all the people trying to save me.

"My daughter and her husband are now supporting the RNLI on a monthly basis .

"Once again, thank you…you are all HEROES.’"

Lyme Regis RNLI volunteer lifeboat operations manager Nick Marks said:"This was a delightful letter, and the rescue, of course, was very much a team effort involving the emergency services and ourselves.

"And it is probably the first time a casualty has provided us with a DVD – complete with music track - of her own rescue."