OTLEY and Yeadon councillor Ryk Downes is recovering following a triple heart by-pass operation.

Cllr Downes has been a patient in Leeds General Infirmary since suffering a heart attack while out running near his home in Pool-in-Wharfedale on January 22.

He was treated at the scene by someone who gave vital first aid, while another passerby fetched the local community defibrillator to restart his heart before paramedics arrived, and he was airlifted to hospital.

Subsequent tests revealed the urgent need for surgery, and the 51-year-old was taken into theatre at 8am on Tuesday.

Cllr Downes' wife, Bev, posted up news of the operation's success on Facebook on Wednesday morning.

She said: "The most wonderful news!

"Ryk is awake – he has survived the op.

"He is in a lot of pain because of broken ribs and the surgery, but he is having something to eat and I have spoken to him on the phone. God bless you all – I am so lucky to have the Lord taking care of us."

She added: "Thank you for all your support – he is loved by a lot of people."

Fellow Liberal Democrat councillor for Otley and Yeadon, Sandy Lay, meanwhile, is keen to publicise the locations of local defibrillators so others can help in future emergencies.

Posting online, he said: "Just thought I'd share this information and map outlining where the AED (Automated External Defibrillators) are in the area, bearing in mind what has happened to Cllr Ryk Downes."

He added: "Many thanks to [town councillor] Peter Jackson, Brian Firth, Otley Lions and the many businesses and schools for providing the equipment that ensures that should the worst happen, you have a better chance of survival."

A map showing where to find publicly-accessible defibrillators in Wharfedale and Aireborough can be viewed at the zeemaps.com/map?group=1822204# link.