The Shropshire women who spent all night trapped in her car after it was washed away by flood water today revealed it was her friend who had helped save her life.

Lesley North, 45, said her prayers were answered when friend Fritha Scowcroft, whom she had been to visit the night before, eventually saw her car marooned in Borle Brook ford, in Billingsley, near Bridgnorth.

Mrs Scowcroft, who had changed her normal journey at the last minute, raised the alarm and police managed to rescue Miss North after 11 hours in the car.

Devoted Christian Miss North was driving home to Highley on Sunday night when her car stalled crossing the ford and it was washed 75-yards downstream. She was trapped and admitted she feared for her life before she was saved at 9am on Monday.

Recovering, but still visibly shaken by her 11-hour ordeal, Stafford University law student Miss North said she could not thank her friend enough and believes her survival was down to divine intervention.

“I am a Christian so I was praying to God all night and making a bargain with him. I prayed to him to protect me and I got through by singing hymns and choruses,” she said.

“Cars began passing at about 6am but no-one heard my screams until the friend I had been to see the previous night came along.”

Police officers formed a human chain to reach Miss North, who said she had not been reckless by trying to cross the ford as other drivers had done so.