A woman was pulled from the River Thames in Oxford by firefighters last night after clinging onto a life ring.

Sixteen firefighters from Rewley Road and Kidlington were called to the Thames between Thames Street and Friars Wharf at about 10.45pm.

Shortly afterwards they found the woman in four feet of water close to the river bank.

Two fire engines from Oxford and one from Kidlington attended the scene.

Richard Smith, group manager for Oxfordshire Fire Service, said the life ring had a flashing light on it which helped firefighters to locate the woman.

A fire service boat was used to search the river banks for a missing man while the Thames Valley Police helicopter used its thermal imaging camera and spotlights to search the main river.

The woman was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital for precautionary checks, while the missing man was later found by police safe and well at about 11.45pm.

Incident Commander, Watch Manager Gary Dawson, said: “The woman was very cold and disorientated when we found her.

“The life ring had offered her some support until a full rescue could take place.

“We would urge people to take care when walking by the river at night, and to report any missing or damaged life rings to the Environment Agency via the contact details attached to the life ring posts.”