A LITTLE Runcorn girl was playing with her cousin at the side of the Bridgewater Canal in Windmill Hill when she suddenly fell in.

Six-year-old Donna Hanley couldn't swim and panicked.

Her cousin, Carl Hardwick, also six, struggled to try and save her but had to let go of her hand as her weight was pulling him in.

She sank beneath the water three or four times as reeds, tangled round her Wellington boots, began drag her under.

Miraculously, a woman in a nearby garden spotted her distress and ran to her rescue.

This traumatic incident happened around 22 years ago and Donna, now 28, who is looking to start her own family, has sent out a heart-felt appeal to trace the Runcorn woman who saved her life.

"Without her, I wouldn't be here," said Donna, who now lives in Northhampton. "I've been thinking about life and how much it means, as I'm about the buy a house and start my own family."

She thinks the accident happened near a bridge.

"I remember going under three or four times," recalled Donna. "I was panicking because my wellies were filling up with water and the reeds were wrapping round my legs, pulling me under.

"I had nightmares afterwards."

Donna was living with her mum, June, and aunt, Linda Hardwick, when the accident happened.

The woman who rescued her lived near the canal and was waiting for her young daughter to come home.

Her aunt has since moved to the town's Hallwood Park and her mum lives in Liverpool.

Donna added: "I'm coming up for Christmas and I would like to say a personal thank you to this woman and tell her kids their mum's a hero who saved my life."

Anyone who can help Donna identify the courageous woman can contact the World on 0151-907 8525 or email us at newsroom@worldgroup.co.uk