TWO neighbours who saved an injured pensioner as her property burned around her, have been awarded the chief fire officer commendations for bravery.

Stephen Eggleton and Phillip Pearce have been recognised after they braved thick smoke and visible flames to enter a room where 85-year-old Mary Nerval was lying on the floor.

Together, they pulled her from the burning property in Victoria Road, Newport, into a nearby neighbours address to seek immediate medical attention.

Although Mary sadly passed away two weeks later, she may have died on that night had it not been for the efforts of her neighbours.

Steve Apter, the Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service chief fire officer said: “We feel it is only right we recognise the lengths these neighbours when to on that night in October 2012, and presenting these certificates and letter is one way of doing that."

A letter of appreciation was also presented to another neighbour Rona Jackson, who was one of Mary's neighbours who had arranged to have a smoke alarm fitted which alerted everyone to the fire.