TWO elderly women were saved from almost certain death from carbon monoxide poisoning yesterday, thanks to their relatives.

Hazel James, 77, and Gwen Wright, 78, who have been friends since infant school, were found at home (pictured) in Pentre Tai Road in Rhiwderin, suffering the effects of the fumes from their coal fire.

Ms James' niece Pam James discovered them after receiving no answer from repeated telephone calls to the house.

Moreen James, Ms James' sister-in-law, said: "We take Hazel to Asda every Tuesday and went to pick her up as usual at 5pm. Gwen said Hazel wasn't feeling at all well, as she was sick and giddy.

"We tried to get her to see a doctor, but she is very stubborn and she refused. We tried ringing later to see if she was all right, but got no reply. That was odd, because Gwen will always answer and take a message, so I had this feeling something was wrong.

"Pam went round about 8.35pm and couldn't get an answer at the door, although she could hear the television on. She peered under the net curtains and could see Hazel lying in a chair and Gwen lying on the floor. At first, she thought Gwen had found Hazel dead and fainted. She called for an ambulance, which was here in seconds, and the ambulanceman punched a hole in the glass to get in and rushed them to hospital.

"If it wasn't for Pam, they would both be dead now. The doctor told us as much." Pam James, 48, an employee at Alcan in Rogerstone, said: "I had a feeling something had happened when we couldn't get an answer. I was shocked when I found them both - it was frightening. Hazel has had a stroke before, so I thought maybe she had had another one. I was scared they were both dead, but then I saw Gwen's leg move."

Moreen James said it was all the more distressing as her husband - Hazel's brother - had died just two months ago. The pair were both still in Newport's Royal Gwent Hospital today, but thought to be improving.

Health and Safety officers were set to enter the house to carry out an investigation. "We've got an alarm for carbon monoxide in our house," said Moreen James. "Maybe this will persuade Hazel to buy one."