A COUNCILLOR is recovering after suffering a major heart attack when out running.

Councillor Ryk Downes (Lib Dem, Otley & Yeadon) was running on Friday when he collapsed near the Shell petrol station in Pool-in-Wharfedale.

The 51-year-old received vital CPR from a passerby while another person took the community defibrillator from the phone box outside the Post Office, on Main Street.

Cllr Downes' heart was eventually re-started and he was then airlifted to Leeds General Infirmary by Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

His family said he was now recovering well, though he suffered several broken ribs from the chest compressions that were given to help him.

His daughter, Sherri, said: "It's been a rough couple of days, thank you so much to everyone who has messaged and sent all their love and warmest wishes.

"He is going to need a heart bypass at some stage in the near future, but the main thing is he's now fully awake and communicating and doing amazingly well, he has been so so lucky, we thank the Lord so so much.

"My dad is truly an inspiration to us all, such a strong fighter and so very brave and we all love him so much."