ONE of Worcester's best-known public faces has spoken of the NHS "saving my life" - saying he owes his very existence to heroic hospital staff.

Councillor Derek Prodger is now working his way back to full health after suffering a shock heart attack at a fire service conference in Bristol.

The 79-year-old has revealed how he had to have five stents placed in his heart after opting against open heart surgery due to the risks involved.

Councillor Prodger, a former Mayor of Worcester, started very light duties this week as chairman of the fire authority and is aiming to make an appearance at Worcestershire County Council next month.

He is also going on daily walks around Worcester as he battles to regain his health, including taking in this Diglis Bridge he first helped get off the ground.

Last March he suddenly collapsed at an LGA (Local Government Association) conference and had to get emergency treatment from paramedics before going to Bristol Hospital.

"It was quite a shock to me, I didn't realise what was happening at all," he said.

"But I consider myself a very lucky man, at the conference centre we happened to be very close to Bristol Hospital and as it turned out, they have some of the best heart people in the whole country.

"We decided my heart wasn't good for open heart surgery, I wasn't strong enough for it - but I had five stents put into my heart.

"I could not speak highly enough of the way I was treated - thank God we've got an NHS because they saved my life."

Councillor Prodger, who came out of hospital two weeks ago, said he is under strict orders to take it easy over the coming months.

"I'm walking every day but I'm not doing anything strenuous, it feels good to walk around Worcester and look at the riverside," he said.

"I'm taking things very steady and am just starting some light duties, I've had my first meeting at the fire authority and really enjoyed it.

"The support I have had has been great - I want to get to the next full county council meeting in May, that's my ambition."

Councillor Prodger, a father-of-one who represents the Bedwardine ward, is stepping down at the city council in May after serving an unbroken spell at the Guildhall dating back to 1982.

He will remain on Worcestershire County Council and intends to seek re-election there in 2017.