A husband and wife life-saving team are the Heroes of the Year for the Kiwanis Club of St George’s.

Beau Franklin and Ali Watlington were given the accolade after they rescued a man who got into trouble in rough seas off Devonshire’s Hungry Bay.

Ms Watlington said: “I really didn’t think there would be too much fuss about the rescue. We only did what anyone would do in the same circumstances.

“The rescued man was totally exhausted when I got to him in the waters off Hungry Bay. We had to put him on a surfboard and get him back to shore.”

She added: “Generally speaking, people should heed warnings of strong surf, especially when the weather is bad or threatening.”

Ms Watlington accepted the award at a ceremony at St George’s Club last Thursday. Mr Franklin was unable to attend.

Mr Franklin, a lifeguard, and Ms Watlington saw swimmer Alex Marshall in trouble after he was caught in a riptide last September.

Mr Franklin said at the time he feared Mr Marshall could drown as the waves dashed him against the rocks.

The pair got to Mr Martin and pulled him clear before Mr Franklin towed him a mile and a half down the coast to a safe bay off Kent Avenue, Devonshire.

Daron Lowe, Vice President of the Kiwanis Club of St George’s, said when he told the two they had been chosen for the award they insisted they had done nothing special.

But Mr Lowe said at the presentation: “Humility is the sign of a true hero.”