Quick-thinking staff at a Somerset factory helped to save the life of one of their colleagues when he suffered a heart attack at work.

Employees at the Yeo Valley dairy in Cannington sprang into action when packing hall team manager Brian Graham, from Bridgwater, collapsed in reception.

Brian had been complaining of pains in his arms and chest, which he thought was indigestion.

Staff called for an ambulance, and initially Brian was still conscious and able to speak to the paramedics on the phone.

But before paramedics could get to the site, he had a seizure, his breathing stopped and he had no pulse.

First-aiders Sharon Parsons and Roy Riley stepped straight in to save him.

Sharon, from Combwich, gave Brian CPR and, within five minutes, the ambulance arrived.

Brian’s breathing returned briefly before he had a second seizure. This time Roy, from Bridgwater, took over the CPR whilst the paramedic set up the defibrillator and attached Brian to a drip.

Roy continued CPR for 20 minutes and Brian’s heart had to be shocked three times before he was taken in an ambulance to hospital.

He was rushed straight into surgery where stents were fitted to aid the flow of blood away from the heart.

Following the incident, paramedics praised the bravery and quick thinking of the Yeo Valley first aiders.

Sharon said: “When it’s something you’ve been taught to do, the training just kicks in and you do your best.”

Roy added: “I’m a firm believer in first aid training, you just don’t know what’s around the corner.”

The surgery was successful, and Brian is now recovering at home with his wife, although he has no memory of the incident.

The Yeo Valley staff at Cannington sent Brian flowers to wish him a speedy recovery.