THE BROTHER of a Hampshire woman who suffered a heart attack while home alone has thanked her friend for saving his sister's life.

Charles Loxley believes his sister, Janis Moody, would not be here today if it was not for the quick thinking of her friend of 40 years, Sally Matthews.

He told the Daily Echo that he wanted to say a proper than you to Sally after she went to see his 65-year-old sister who had complained of feeling unwell.

Mrs Moody started complaining of feeling ill on Wednesday and had left a message on Sally's phone, as she had been out for the day.

When Sally, a retired nurse, returned home, she called her life-long friend who told her she was not well and had booked a doctor's appointment for 6pm.

But rather than wait, Sally went to her friend's home in Chandler's Ford and when she saw how ill she was, she immediately called an ambulance, which took her straight to Southampton General Hospital.

Once there she underwent an emergency operation on her heart, having suffered a heart attack.

Reluctant hero Sally, 63, said: "It is very sweet of Charles to thank me but I really do not think I actually did very much.

However Mr Loxley insists she did much more, adding: "Sally is a brilliant friend and someone who clearly saved my sister's life. I just want to thank her for being there and taking the action that she did.

"If she hadn't I don't think my sister would have made it to the doctor."

Mrs Moody is now recovering well in hospital.