STAFF and members of a private health club have been commended for their attempts to save the life of a man who collapsed in a swimming pool.

An inquest heard how retired police officer Thomas Johnson (63), of Simister Lane, Prestwich, collapsed at the Lancashire Health and Racquets Club in Middleton.

He was at the club with his wife Irene on November 15 last year, and had jogged on the treadmill for ten minutes before going to the pool.

Mr Johnson was at the time being treated for high blood pressure and cholesterol and had been given the all clear from bone cancer.

Mrs Johnson told the inquest, held at Bury: "I didn't see my husband collapse in the water. I was swimming away from him as he lent on the side of the pool at one end. But when he got in the pool he didn't look well."

Mr Johnson was seen slumped beneath the water by a club member and staff told to call an ambulance.

Pathologist Dr Naomi Carter said that furring of the arteries could have caused Mr Johnson to collapse and die so quickly.

Coroner Simon Nelson recorded a verdict of death by natural causes and praised the efforts of the people who tried to revive him.