An Ardrossan woman who was saved from drowning when she was just nine years old is searching for the stranger who saved her life.

Karmen Gibb, now 22, was swimming with her best friend at Saltcoats beach in 2004 when the sand suddenly disappeared from beneath her feet.

"I don't know whether it was quicksand or a whirlpool," says Karmen. "We were suddenly really far out in the sea."

Luckily, Karmen knew how to swim. Although little, her legs kicked hard enough to keep her head above the water.

But her friend was struggling - her head continued to fall underneath the waves, no matter how tightly Karmen gripped onto her hair.

The girls were in the water for almost ten minutes before a hand reached into the water and pulled Karmen to safety.

She was sat atop a nearby rock, falling in and out of consciousness and coughing up sea water.

After three days in the hospital, the nine-year-old was told that her best friend had not made it.

Now, Karmen is appealing to the stranger who managed to save her life all those years ago.

"I don't know anything about her, except the fact that she was a 17-year-old girl," explains Karmen. "I really want to find out who saved me.

"I wouldn't have had my kid if it wasn't for her."

The incident took place on June 13 2004 at Saltcoats beach, North Ayrshire. Anyone with information is asked to contact stvnews@stv.tv