A PENSIONER from Rhyl who thought his “time was up” after he found himself stuck in deep mud has expressed his gratitude to the two boys who spotted him and came to his rescue.

Gareth Parry-Jones, 75, was walking his dog, Bitsy, on Horton's Nose, a nature reserve by the River Clwyd, on August 11, when he slipped and fell into the mud.

For about 30 minutes, he said, he was unable to move, with the tide “coming in very fast” all the while.

Fortunately for Gareth, two young boys passed by and heard him shouting for help, before pulling him to safety.

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Gareth was then re-united with one of the boys this morning (August 23), when he presented him with a watch and a cash reward for him and his friend having “saved my life”.

He said: “I honestly thought my time was up. I heard voices, so I shouted out for help.

“Two little boys came running. I had my dog’s lead around my neck, and gave one end to the boys.

“It took them about 30 minutes to pull me out. I honestly think they saved my life, so I wanted to reward them both. They are both heroes.

“Unfortunately, I didn’t take their names, as I was covered in mud from head to toe.”

Gareth made an appeal on social media to help find the boys, who he invited to Funkyfeet Records in Rhyl, where he volunteers.

Today, the boy and his father met an “emotional” Gareth, who presented him with his and his friend’s rewards.

“We had two nice watches and some money to give them both - I thought it was a good thing to do,” he added.

“Words cannot explain how grateful I am to them. They saved my life.

“If the tide hadn’t got me and nobody had come, I’d have been covered in water and mud, and probably would have died of hypothermia.

“I’m OK now. I’d still walk my dog there, but I wouldn’t go down to where I was!”