A group of foundry workers sprang into action to save their workmate when he was struck down by a heart attack.

Gary Crabtree, 46, collapsed and turned blue at Francis W Birkett and Sons in Cleckheaton, where he works, after a massive heart attack.

But thanks to the first-aid training of colleagues Mick Binns-Hall, Malcolm Wall and Steve Metcalfe, the coal-maker lived to tell the tale.

And yesterday Mr Crabtree, of Cleckheaton, was there to see the three receive official recognition of their efforts from West Yorkshire Ambulance Service.

"What do you say to someone who has saved your life?" he asked.

"It's difficult to find the words to express how I feel. I know I am a very lucky man and I'm delighted to have the opportunity to personally thank those who came to my rescue - I shall be eternally grateful."

Foundry operative Mr Binns-Hall was working nearby when his colleague collapsed.

"I sprinted across to find he wasn't breathing, had no pulse and had turned blue," he said. "I knew I needed to start giving mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and basically just got on with it."

Furnaceman Mr Metcalfe and finance director Malcolm Wall wasted no time joining in the life-saving mission.

Mr Metcalfe said: "I could see Gary was in trouble and my natural reaction was to see what I could do to help. I started chest compression while Mick continued with the mouth-to-mouth."

Paramedics Steve Wilson and Sarah Blake from West Yorkshire Ambulance Service arrived to find the trio administering classic cardio pulmonary resuscitation.

Mr Wilson said: "Mick, Malcolm and Steve were doing a fantastic job, taking it in turns to give mouth-to-mouth and chest compressions. While Sarah fetched the defibrillator I ventilated Gary and used the airway to keep pumping oxygen to the vital organs. We then used the defibrillator to shock his heart back into a regular rhythm."

But Mr Crabtree's heart stopped as he was lifted onto a stretcher and he had to be shocked again in the ambulance. Mr Wilson said: "By the time we handed over Gary's care to the resuscitation team at Dewsbury District Hospital, he was chatting away. He is a very lucky man.

"Gary was probably without a pulse for about eight minutes, which is a long time. But by keeping the oxygen pumping around his body, Gary's workmates gave him the best chance of survival.

"Their training in first aid was crucial and without their help Gary may not have been here to tell the tale."

Mr Crabtree, was reunited with paramedics yesterday when he joined them to present engraved plaques to his workmates in recognition of their efforts.

Just two other people have been awarded the accolade by WYMAS this year.