When two Birmingham men swimming in the sea off Manorbier were swept away by the undercurrent, it was only thanks to an eagle-eyed Leighton Buzzard woman and a Kings Norton man that they did not drown. Now the rescue pair are to receive national life-saving and bravery awards by Royal approval.

Kate Johnson, of 29 Redwood Glade, Leighton Buzzard, and David Kidner, of 22 Middleton Gardens, Kings Norton, Birmingham, have each been awarded Royal Humane Society Testimonials on Vellum signed by the society's president, Princess Alexandra, for their rescue of Paul Ringer and Steven Haywood, both of 73 Ingoldsey Road, Birmingham, on July 1 last year.

The Humane Society citation says that shortly after 3.30 in the afternoon, Mr. Ringer and Mr. Haywood both went swimming in the sea off Manorbier Beach. They had been in the sea for about 20 minutes when they suddenly realised that they were being swept away by the undercurrent.

They tried shouting for help, but first no-one could see or hear them. They continued to be pulled away from the beach, and were growing tired from swimming against the current and shouting.

However, they were eventually spotted by Ms. Johnson, who raised the alarm, entered the water and swam out to save the by-then semi-conscious Mr. Ringer. She was then joined by Mr. Kidner, who saved Mr. Haywood.

Both Birmingham men were suffering from hypothermia and shock and were taken to hospital by helicopter and released the next day. Ms. Johnson was also taken to hospital suffering from hypothermia, but was released after being checked over.

In addition to the awards they are to receive, the rescue pair also won the personal praise of Major General Christopher Tyler, secretary of the Royal Humane Society.

Speaking at the society's London headquarters, he said: "Without the eagle eyes of Kate, and the remarkable selfless courage that both she and David showed, these men would surely have drowned. The rescuers risked being swept away, and the threat of hypothermia, in order to come to the aid of these men. They swam some 80 yards, and thoroughly deserve their awards.

"This case illustrates the dangers of swimming in the sea - one should always be aware of how far out one is, and whether one can still be heard on the shore. There aren't always rescuers of this calibre on hand to avert tragedy."

At the same time Maj. Gen. Tyler also appealed for information from the public on any incidents that may merit awards from the society.

"We are also always keen to have rescue and life-saving incidents brought to our attention. We consider there are probably a lot of incidents which merit awards, but which are never brought to our notice," he said.

No date has yet been fixed for presentation of the awards in this case, which have been made on the recommendation of the Chief Constable of Dyfed-Powys Police, but it is expected to take place in the near future.

The Royal Humane Society was originally formed by a group of London doctors in 1774 and is the leading UK organisation responsible for honouring lifesavers and those who have been involved in heroic rescue incidents.