ON Sunday January 25, while visiting The Dalesway public house and B&B, I experienced a massive heart attack.

I required the help of my closest friends to aid me, and phone for a ambulance. The landlord, Mr Ian Collins, and a local nurse, were also on hand to offer valuable assistance.

My partner was contacted, and told of my condition.

The ambulance arrived shortly, and I was told that I had a blocked heart valve. This meant that I required a stent fitting urgently. I was transported on blues ‘n’ twos, to the LGI where I was operated on immediately.

The operation was a success, and I recuperated on the ICU ward.

After a short stay in Leeds, I was transferred to Airedale Hospital ICU, to continue my recovery. On Thursday, I was released home. It will be a long road but medical staff inform me, I will make a complete recovery.

Through your columns, I would firstly like to thank everyone who came to my aid especially Mr Collins, the local nurse, who I did not have the pleasure of knowing, my lovely close friends, and all the NHS staff at LGI and Airedale Hospital.

Without this valuable help, my condition would no doubt be worse.

Once again, thank you very much from both myself, my partner Helen, and all my family.

Mark A Smith Midgley Road, Burley-in-Wharfedale