A DEVIZES woman says she is 'immensely proud' that she and three colleagues are to receive top national honours after they saved a man's life.

Charlotte Lloyd, 26, of Wadworth Road, used a defibrillator to administer shocks to Phillip Fidler, from Marlborough, after he had collapsed during a workout at the Marlborough Leisure Centre gym after suffering from ventricular fibrillation, a serious cardiac rhythm disturbance.

Ms Lloyd and Louise Jones, 32, of Tidworth, and Devizes workers Morrison Cooper, 22, and Darren Coltard, 46, managed to restart the 60-year-old's heart and got him breathing again unaided until paramedics arrived to take over.

Now the quartet will receive Royal Humane Society certificates later this month in recognition of their efforts that saved Mr Fidler's life last July.

"I am so proud of all them for saving Phillip's life and we are honoured to receive these awards," said duty officer Ms Lloyd.

"What they did was amazing and to see him back in the gym was a fantastic feeling for everyone, as he is such a wonderful and well-known customer. The alarm was rung to signify that it was an emergency so we got everyone to leave the building and I grabbed the emergency responses bag. You do not have time to think, you just act and do what you are trained to do as his life was at stake.

"After Louise, Morrison and Darren did exactly what they should have done by making him comfortable, keeping his airway open and doing CPR, I gave him two shocks of the defibrillator and we looked after him until the emergency services came.

"We were just in the right place at the right time but it was a great team effort, not just from the four of us but from other staff who were ready to help out too. I have dealt with broken bones and people fainting but nothing like this.

"I hope it shows to our customers that they are in safe hands and if there is an emergency, the staff are ready to deal with situations like this."

Mr Fidler is also delighted that the four staff are to receive the honours, which he says are richly deserved.

"I am deeply humbled by their help and I am forever grateful to them. Without their prompt reactions I would not be here. I will never forget it," said Mr Fidler, who has had heart problems for nearly 15 years.

"I do not remember any of it as I woke up a day later and was in hospital for eight days after that. They had to fit an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator into my chest so if it occurs again it should shock my heartbeat and get it working again.

"When I returned to the gym a month or so later, it was very moving and emotional meeting, thanking the staff who saved me.

"I am delighted that they will receive this award as putting something into practice like this is so valuable and not easy to do."