CONCERNED councillors believe that a mobile phone could be the key to saving lives after their senior groundsman had a heart attack and was saved by a swift response.

Members of Wooburn Parish Council have decided to buy a mobile for their groundsmen after senior worker, John Lane, fell ill while working and had to be rushed to hospital last week.

Mr Lane, was saved by the quick response of his co-worker, Adrian Sharman, who sprinted to the parish offices to call an ambulance.

But councillors say that had Mr Lane been alone he it could have been hours before anyone realised.

The unanimous decision was agreed at a meeting of the Open Spaces Committee on Tuesday.

Cllr Roger Jackson, chairman of the committee, said a mobile phone could be a potential life-saver.

He said: "I think this is well worth doing in view of what happened. If someone is working by themselves, it gives them a quick means of communication which would hopefully get a quick response."

Clerk Gerry Barry, who was just yards away in the parish offices when Mr Lane had a heart attack, said: "Without a swift response this could have proved fatal.

"We were all a bit shocked by what happened and councillors decided to get the phone so they will always have another means of communication."

Hospital staff told Mr Lane's family that the quick response had probably saved his life and he is now recuperating at home.