Selby heart attack victim John Richardson knows he is in good hands.

His health problems inspired his wife, Averil, to give up her supermarket job to train for life on the "front line" with Tees East and North Yorkshire Ambulance Service.

She learned first aid with St John Ambulance and is now working as a fully-qualified ambulance technician.

She has already treated several heart attack victims - and it is all down to her husband's own coronary arrest, which turned her life upside down.

And in an emergency, the couple can call on their 19-year-old daughter, Angela, who takes 999 calls for the same ambulance service.

John, 45, underwent a successful double bypass operation after suffering a second heart attack - and last month went back to work after setting up his own business.

Speaking at her home, in Leeds Road, Selby, Averil, 49, said: "I was working in a supermarket when John had his first attack.

"I was like a fish out of water - I didn't really know what was happening and hadn't a clue what to do.

"I decided there and then to learn first aid and it all snowballed from there. I got a job in patient transport services and then passed my entrance exams for accident and emergency work."

Averil has now been working as an ambulance technician for almost a year and says she loves every minute.

She said: "It's a very demanding and satisfying job, and it's a comfort to me knowing that John can count on a safe pair of hands if he ever needs me.

"I'm now considering training to be a paramedic."

John, a gas service engineer, said: "I'm very proud of my wife. The exams she passed were extremely tough and she's done remarkably well.

"It's been a traumatic time for all of us and it's nice to know that if anything happens in the future, if anyone can put me back on my feet, it's Averil."

Updated: 15:41 Thursday, October 04, 2001