Three Norwich gym staff whose quick-thinking saved the life of a father may be in line for a top accolade to recognise their efforts.

The Evening News reported on Tuesday how Lyndon Green was saved by employees at Norfolk Health and Racquets Club in Drayton High Road after his heart stopped beating for nearly two minutes.

The story prompted Colin Lang, youth and community officer at the Norfolk branch of St John Ambulance, to sit up and take note of the actions of Luke Matthews, David Loughnan and Helen Barnes.

He said: 'I saw how they had done a magnificent job of saving this man and St John Ambulance nationally recognises individuals like this. The gentleman owes his life to these three, and the fact they had attended recent first aid courses highlights the importance of people learning such skills.'

Between them, the trio performed CPR on Mr Green, 44, of Mile End Road, and used a defibrillator to re-start his heart before he was taken to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital for further treatment.

Mr Lang said he send a nomination through to the organisation's central base in London to be considered by a panel.

Within eight weeks it is expected they will find out whether they have been selected for a Letter of Appreciation, believed to have been issued only once in Norfolk in the last decade, or the even rarer Certificate of Commendation.

David Loughnan, 25, said he switched on to 'autopilot' while resuscitating Mr Green and added: 'It's fantastic how well Mr Green is doing now, and I'm over the moon about the nomination, especially as we were really just doing our jobs.'

Have you saved a life? Contact John Owens on 01603 772439.