A MAN whose parents both died from heart problems is joining the fight to beat Britain's biggest killer.

Philip Fitzgerald is one of the founder members of the newly-formed Haydock branch of the British Heart Foundation and he is keen to recruit more support for the organisation which aims to fund research into heart disease.

And Philip, from James Road in Haydock knows better than most the devastation the condition can wreak, having lost both his parents to heart trouble.

He said: "I know a lot of people who have died from heart disease. My mum, Alice, died from heart trouble in 1999 and my dad, Paddy, died just three months ago while waiting for a heart by-pass operation".

These personal tragedies, prompted Philip, who has suffered a minor heart attack himself, to lend his support to the BHF and try to raise awareness by helping to set up the Haydock branch.

Now the seven-strong group are busy planning for a number of future events, including a sponsored walk from Southport to Haydock in August, exercise sessions for all the family, raffles and collections.

Meanwhile, branch meetings will be held second Wednesday of the month at Haydock Catholic Club, Church Road, starting at 7pm, when any prospective new members or anyone interested is welcome to go along.

For more local information about the charity you can contact Ken Fretwell on 0151 678 2646 or e-mail him at fretwellk@bhf73.demon.co.uk

Alternatively, you can call the British Heart Foundation hot-line on 0870 9090 111.