An 83-year-old woman who fell while out in the garden of her home in the village of Klarenbeek near Apeldoorn went unnoticed for four days and three nights, according to a report by local broadcaster Omroep Gelderland.

The woman was eventually found by police after having been alerted by her family, who thought it strange they had heard nothing from her.

The woman apparently fell when she went to fetch the evening newspaper from the letter box on Friday evening. She was unable to stand up again and did not have a phone to call for help.

The woman was taken to hospital suffering from hypothermia but is said to be making good progress.

Klarenbeek is a small village of some 3,500 people. However, the woman lives in a house with a lot of land, which may explain why no-one spotted her or that the front door of her home was open.

According to the broadcaster she had not been feeling well and was dressed up warmly when she left her home. This, the broadcaster said, may have saved her life.