A GOOD Samaritan jogger told today how he went to the rescue of a heart attack victim while out running.

John Francis came forward after reading an appeal from the man's family in the Bolton Evening News. They wanted to trace the "mystery jogger" so that they could thank him.

Quick-thinking Mr Francis gave cardiac massage to 72-year-old Bill Starkie after he collapsed with a heart attack near to the entrance of Leverhulme Park in Blenheim Road, Breightmet.

Initially, Mr Francis feared Mr Starkie had died. Although unable to detect a pulse, he refused to give up on efforts to resuscitate him as they waited for paramedics to arrive.

And he was delighted to read in Wednesday's Bolton Evening News that Mr Starkie was alive.

Mr Francis, aged 48, who lives in Breightmet, said: "I was out jogging with my wife Patricia when I saw him lying on the ground a couple of hundred yards away.

"I ran over and started administering first aid and managed to flag down a car. I am delighted to hear that he is alive. I have spent a couple of nights lying awake thinking there was a widow out there who had just lost her husband."

Doctors have said that if Mr Francis had not given Mr Starkie first aid he would almost certainly have died. Grandfather of four Mr Starkie, a retired haulage contractor, is recovering in hospital.

Mr Francis, a production engineer, learnt first aid skills in the late 1970s through an evening course. He previously used his skills in 1987 when a lorry driver collapsed at the wheel in Bradshawgate, Bolton.

Mr Francis said: "I think everybody should go on a first aid course because you never know when you may need to use those skills."

Mr Starkie's wife June and their family are now making arrangements to meet Mr Francis.