A pensioner who collapsed at Southwall Road recycling centre has praised tip workers for helping keep him alive before the emergency services arrived.

Hours after collapsing at the cardboard recycling container on Monday January 27, 77-year-old Anthony Nichols was in hospital having a pacemaker fitted and being nursed back to health.

The operation at the QEQM hospital undoubtedly saved him, but Mr Nichols of Tormore Park, Deal, is certain he is alive today thanks to the tip attendants’ kindness and quick thinking.

“They put me in the recovery position and tried to get me breathing again,” he said.

“They did their best for me. The ambulance came and they worked on me for 20 minutes before taking me to hospital.”

Meanwhile Mr Nichols’ wife Dolly, 81, was eagerly awaiting his return home.

“They put me in the recovery position and tried to get me breathing again” Anthony Nichols.

She said: “When he didn’t come home I started panicking.

“My neighbour was a great help.

“I was almost hysterical.

“He went down the tip to find out what happened.

“He came back and said we were going to Margate hospital.”

The recycling workers had moved his car to safety, and looked after the keys, ensuring they were given back to Mrs Nichols.

Mr Nichols, who was wearing a baseball cap at the time, came away from the incident with two black eyes and a bump on the head. Coupled with his pacemaker, he sees them as minor set backs.

The couple, who are keen ballroom and sequence dancers, are keen to strap on their dancing shoes again.

Mrs Nichols added: “I can’t thank the lads enough.

“They wouldn’t accept anything so I went round there with cakes.

“But I would like to thank them publicly because a lot of people would not try to help.”