Two workers at a gym have been hailed heroes after they saved the life of a dad-of-two.

Connor Bennett, 21, a lifeguard at Nuffield Health at Medway Valley Leisure Park, Strood, was using the gym when Kevin Smith collapsed.

The 47-year-old had gone to the centre with his two daughters Issy and Connie. He had been using the treadmill when he collapsed.

His daughters alerted staff and Connor, from Brompton, radioed for back-up and started CPR.

Operations manager Stephanie Curtis was next on the scene.

The 25-year-old, from Walderslade, said: “The gym was cleared and the emergency services called.

"The man’s daughters were taken out of the room so they didn’t have to see what was happening. His heart stopped and we used the defibrillator.”

It was thought Mr Smith had suffered a heart attack, but hospital tests found that he had sudden death syndrome which may have been caused by scar tissue from an earlier attack.

Stephanie went to see him two days later in hospital.

“I needed to see him alive,” she said.

“He had a internal defibrillator fitted and is having rehab so he hasn’t been back to the gym yet but his family have come in and pampered Connor and I with flowers and gifts.”

Jayne Light, Mr Smith’s wife, said: “I just can’t thank them enough. Their quick actions and thinking saved his life.

“My girls alerting the staff also made a difference.

“I can’t begin to tell them how much it means, saying thank you isn’t enough.

“Kevin is doing really well.”

"Their quick actions and thinking saved his life... I can’t begin to tell them how much it means, saying thank you isn’t enough" - Jayne Light

Connor and Stephanie have both been awarded Royal Humane Society Resuscitation Certificates for saving Mr Smith on July 3 last year.

Dick Wilkinson, society secretary, said: “But for the rapid response of Connor and Stephanie the man would never have survived.

They have now been nominated for a Pride in Medway award.

“It was a shock to be nominated,” Stephanie said.

“It was so traumatic – I hadn’t forgotten about it, but I had put it in a box in my mind. Connor and I are humbled to be nominated.”