When Robert Long went to work at Rosedale Funeral Home in Diss last September, he could not have imagined that his colleagues would end up saving his life.

The 73-year-old had arrived at his workplace on Victoria Road ready to help out at a funeral. But Mr Long ended up suffering a cardiac arrest.

His colleague Nigel Skipper, who paramedics have praised for saving Mr Long's life, said: 'We knew straight away something was wrong with him.

'I started doing CPR which seemed like forever.'

Mr Long, who has been working for Rosedale for ten years, was this week able to meet and say thank you to the paramedics who helped him on September 4. The Harleston resident, whose son is a paramedic, said: 'I have more respect for these lot now. Before the incident I had indigestion and was told to be careful what I eat. But there were no signs. I feel great now.'

The East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) received the emergency call at 9.30am and EEAST training officer Steve Hammond arrived on the scene within six minutes. Paramedic Tanya Chenery and student paramedic Zoe Clarke arrived in an ambulance six minutes later along with another crew.

Mr Hammond said: 'When I got here the staff members were giving really good compressions. I shocked him three times and by the time the crew arrived he was breathing on his own.'

Mr Long was taken to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital. He is now back at work.

Ms Chenery said Mr Long's case shows the importance of having knowledge of first aid.

She said: 'Had his colleague not given the chest compressions when he did the outcome for Robert might not have been as good as it was.

'It is important to have first aid training.'

She added that in the seven years she has worked as a paramedic only a few people like Robert have survived a cardiac arrest. And that was because someone started chest compressions quickly.

It has been made compulsory for all new staff members at Rosedale to have first aid training.