A police community support officer who suffered a heart attack while on duty in Felixstowe has thanked the public for their support since his incident.

PCSO Steve Butcher is now back patrolling the town’s streets after undergoing a bypass operation at Papworth Hospital.

And the 59-year-old said he was overwhelmed by the support he received while in hospital and since returning to full-time duty.

Mr Butcher, of Felixstowe, said: “I had messages of support with cards being sent to me from individuals in Felixstowe when I was in hospital.

“When I came back, I had been inundated with messages, which have been greatly appreciated.

“The police service has been very good to me as well, so I am genuinely very grateful to Suffolk police and people in Felixstowe.”

Mr Butcher was near Barclays bank in Hamilton Road, Felixstowe, on November 10 last year when he said he felt a sudden tightness in his chest and became nauseous.

After seeing doctors in Felixstowe, he was transferred to Ipswich Hospital for tests which revealed he had suffered a minor heart attack. He was later taken to Papworth Hospital for an operation.

Mr Butcher has been a PCSO for seven years, after previously serving as a police constable for 30 years.

After he had surgery at the hospital, he returned to light duty in March and he was able to work more hours from April.He is now back on full time duty.

Mr Butcher added: “I am very positive about it.

“I don’t have any negative feelings about it at all, in fact I feel like I have been given extra time.

“Since I have been back I have been able to speak to a gentleman who is older than me who is looking to go to Papworth for a similar thing.

“I have now been able to give him the confidence in the results and it has given him great comfort.”