A HEREFORDSHIRE woman is 'stable' in hospital having been swept out to sea by a freak wave and repeatedly smashed against rocks.

Carol Hawkins, 55, from Mansel Lacy, and her partner James Ostler, 43, were walking her dog along the shore at Durdle Door, Dorset, when the giant wave crashed over her .

Mrs Hawkins was swept out to sea and suffered serious head and back injuries when she was battered against rocks.

Mr Ostler waded in to pull her back to the shore where the couple collapsed from exhaustion.

A walker, who saw the scene from a cliff top, raised the alarm on his mobile phone.

An air ambulance helicopter flew Mrs Hawkins to Dorset County Hospital where she was put into intensive care.

Her condition improved over the weekend and doctors have described her as stable.

Mr Ostler went to hospital by ambulance and was released after a check-up. The couple was camping in the Dorchester area last week.

Portland Coastguards said the sea was in a heavy swell whipped up by 35mph winds.

The couple's Labrador dog was found 'fine' running up and down the beach.