3:29pm UK, Monday April 18, 2005

A 75-year-old woman has been rescued after being trapped in her bathtub for five days.

Jane Fromal had run a bath to nurse a sore back but was unable to climb out.

180 generic bathroom

Bathrooms: Don't get stuck

"I thought I'd get in the tub and soak," she said. "I didn't know I was going to soak for five days."

She finally got help when a neighbour's grandson noticed newspapers piling up in her driveway.

Relatives found Mrs Fromal suffering from slight dehydration - even though she had drunk tap water during the ordeal.

Despite having no food for five days, she reportedly asked for a cigarette and a soda when she was rescued.

She spent four days in hospital but made a full recovery.

Her family is now adding railings and a tub chair to the bathroom.