A TROON man who saved a 20-year-old's life while he was on holiday in Fuerteventura has been branded a hero by friends and family.

Michael Richard's was enjoying some relaxation in the sun with his partner Jacqueline Brogan-Smith last month when she heard a young man, Ishtiaq Chowdhury, known as Ishy shouting for help.

Speaking about the event Jacqueline said: "When we were about a week into our holiday in July, I noticed this young couple lying by the pool. They must have been in their 20s.

"The chap walked into the pool which he thought was the shallow end. I noticed him shouting for help but I think everybody thought he was playing around. 

"I shouted Michael, whom I call Mike he swims like a fish, because he is never out of the water to come and help him. Michael saved his life. His girlfriend Becky did not know that he could not swim."

Michael, originally from Wales, is a PE England teacher at St Ninians in Renfrewshire and a local Driving Instructor in Troon. He has been living in Troon for 20 years.

Jacqueline added: "I am very proud of him. You just think it was the natural thing to do. I had put a post on Facebook to say I proud I was and got a great response.

"I think you take these things for granted then you realise Michael actually saved his life. He swims every morning before half past nine. We started a joke which was Mike swims like a fish.

"We met Ishy and Becky one night and went out. They had come over to thank Michael for what he did and I have them on Facebook now."

Friends and family have taken to Jacqueline's Facebook account to tell Michael how proud they are of him.