Sam felt ill after mowing the lawn in soaring temperatures on Monday.

He was rushed to the Conquest Hospital where he underwent emergency heart surgery.

His partner Rita Cox said: "Sam complained of chest pains and was sweating badly, which is not a good sign.

"He thought at first it was a severe angina attack, caused by a recent change in medication.

"He started to turn a funny colour and I called the ambulance.

"The paramedics were absolutely brilliant. There was an emergency team waiting for him at the hospital and within two hours they had put stents in and he was back in the ward. What can you say about a superb health care service like that?

"It reinforces the importance of keeping a local emergency service at the Conquest. If Sam had to go to Eastbourne he would be dead by now.

"He is recovering well and says that he feels fine. He will have to take it easy for a couple of weeks but will soon be back to normal."