THE wife of a former Mayor of Hyndburn today praised doctors whose speedy actions helped save his life.

Coun Cliff Westell, who was mayor in 1988, was today recovering in Blackburn Royal Infirmary's intensive care unit following heart surgery on Wednesday.

Mr Westell's wife Dorothy, also a borough and county councillor, said the operation had been a success.

She praised hospital staff and singled out the family's GP, Dr Clara Murphy of Peel House Medical Centre, Avenue Parade, Accrington, for her speedy diagnosis of Mr Westell's condition.

Mrs Westell said: "Cliff's done very well and the hospital staff are very satisfied with his progress.

"The operation was definitely life-saving because they were very concerned about him. Our prayers are with Dr Murphy who saw the emergency.

"Cliff was in theatre for an hour and a half but he came through it well and seems quite strong. They have taken him off a ventilator.

"It started when he went to the doctors on Monday feeling unwell. Dr Murphy wanted him to go to hospital straight away. "They did a scan and said they needed to operate because his main heart artery was bleeding.

"He's been having a joke with the people in intensive care and just can't thank them enough for the treatment he's received." Mr and Mrs Westell's daughter Judith, who lives in Stacksteads, has also visited the hospital, while daughter Alison, who lives in Cornwall, has kept in touch by phone.

Mr Westell, 74, was first elected in Spring Hill ward in 1974 and is a former chairman of the housing services committee.

He received an award three years ago from Hyndburn residents' groups for his work in the borough.

Council colleagues have also rallied round to wish Mr Westell a speedy recovery.

Mrs Westell added: "It's been a terrible worry. Cliff's been very lucky. He was going to go to Cornwall and Jersey for a holiday with our daughter but he'll have to put that off now."

"They haven't said how long he'll be in hospital - but I think it will take more than this to stop Cliff from being a councillor."

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