A grieving husband foiled a woman's suicide bid seven days after his wife fell to her death.

Keith Lane went to the clifftop at 5.30am to pay his daily respects to his wife a week after her death at Beachy Head.

As he was grieving on the clifftop, he noticed a distressed woman writing a letter near the Beachy Head pub, near Eastbourne.

Sensing she was suicidal, he tried to talk to her only for her to run to within 15ft of the cliff edge.

Before she could throw herself off, Mr Lane rugby-tackled her and held on to her until police arrived.

Yesterday, the Royal Humane Society presented Mr Lane with one of its highest awards in recognition of his actions that day.

Maggie, Mr Lane's wife of five years, had spiralled into a drink-fuelled depression and travelled to Beachy Head last March having consumed alcohol and tablets, one week after a failed suicide bid.

Her body was found 150ft down the cliff a day later.

An open verdict was recorded at her inquest and Mr Lane strongly believes his wife did not intend to kill herself.

Every day since her death, Mr Lane has made a pilgrimage to Beachy Head to be close to her. He believes fate played a part in his rescue of the unnamed woman.

Self-employed window cleaner Mr Lane, 54, of Percival Road, Hampden Park, Eastbourne, said: "I thought it was quite strange that a lady was at Beachy Head alone at 5.30am.

"I went over to her and said, 'I hope you're not going to do what I think you are' and she said 'Leave me alone'. With that she made a run towards the cliff edge.

"I ran after her and as we got to within 15ft of the drop, it turned to decision time. I pulled her down to the ground and hung on to her as if it was a matter of life and death.

"She fought like a tiger and I struggled to keep hold of her. It was cold and all sorts were running through my mind.

"The bizarre thing was two weeks before my wife died she had a dream that both of us would go over Beachy Head hand-in-hand.

"And while I was grappling with the lady, she suddenly stopped, her voice changed calmly and she said, 'Let's go over hand-in-hand'.

"Believe me, I struggled with that comment. And I struggled with her until police arrived. Luckily the police were looking for her anyway because she had been reported missing.

"I tried to talk calmly to her, explaining my situation with my late wife and just reassuring her."

The woman, aged 38, was taken to the Eastbourne District General Hospital. Weeks later she spotted Mr Lane in the Arndale Shopping Centre and expressed her thanks.

With medication, she told him she was now overcoming her depression. Mr Lane said: "I hope she keeps it up because she is now inspiring me."

The tragedy inspired him to set up the Maggie Lane Charity to help fund chaplains who patrol Beachy Head to counsel people intent on killing themselves.

A concert is being organised and pop star Avril Lavigne has been asked to sing on a fund-raising CD.

After collecting his award from Eastbourne mayor Barbara Goodall, Mr Lane returned to Beachy Head yesterday where a wooden cross is planted in his wife's memory.

David Pennefeather, secretary of the Royal Humane Society, said: "His presence of mind and selfless actions resulted in a life being saved. His continuing compassion and concern for the lady is an example to us all."