THE LIFE of a North Yorkshire woman was saved thanks to the skills of medical staff on the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Janet James suffered a heart attack at her home in Hovingham, near Malton, while her husband, Alick, was out walking.

"I was out of range to receive a mobile phone message, but Janet managed to make a 999 call and asked for an ambulance.

"Within minutes the air ambulance was on the scene," said Mr James.

"She was in a very bad condition, but the doctor and paramedics swung straight into action.

"They were marvellous and the family are eternally grateful for the wonderful job they did."

The ambulance service team treated Mrs James throughout the 15-minute flight to the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough, where she was detained in its intensive care unit.

"The ambulance team worked on her from the moment she was put into the helicopter - they were fantastic."

The drama unfolded on Saturday afternoon - and Mrs James was able to return home on Monday night after making a full recovery.

"In these days when we tend to hear so much bad news about the NHS I cannot speak too highly of the treatment my wife received both from the Yorkshire Air Ambulance service and James Cook Hospital," said Mr James, chairman of Hovingham Parish Council.

"They were absolutely superb because they undoubtedly saved Janet's life."

The couple have lived in Hovingham for 20 years and Mrs James, who is in her 70s, plays tennis twice a week and is also a keen badminton and bowls player as well as being a keen walker.

Martin Ede, chief executive of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, said: "We were delighted that this mercy mission had such a happy outcome.

"It really proved the need for a second ambulance and for it to be sited in the Ryedale area."

Mr Ede said the service hopes to take delivery of its second ambulance later this summer for which it has been raising £2.5 million.

He said negotiations were under way with the Fitzwilliam Estate and Ryedale District Council planners to have it based at the proposed new science park on the outskirts of Malton, near the A169 road.