TWO surgeons who risked their jobs to speak out against conditions at the Kent and Canterbury Hospital have been presented with the Lord Mayor's Civic Awards at a special ceremony.

Top consultants Bob Heddle and Richard Collins took part in secretly filming dire scenes showing patients waiting for hours on trolleys in hospital corridors for the TV documentary Tonight with Trevor McDonald in February.

Both have also spoken out against plans to downgrade the K&C and have performed essential surgery on hundreds of people across the district over long careers at the hospital.

The two men accepted the awards from Lord Mayor Cllr Mary Jeffries at the ceremony held at the Guildhall in Canterbury, watched by their families and supporters in the public gallery.

Speaking on behalf of absent council leader Alex Perkins, Cllr Nick Eden-Green, hailed the consultants heroes for daring to raise their heads above the parapet.