HERO fireman Ian Haward who helped save the life of a church clock expert will be rewarded for his actions.The part-time Needham Market fire-fighter was working at St Mary's Church, Woodbridge, when his colleague 70-year-old Cliff Bird suffered a major heart attack.

HERO fireman Ian Haward who helped save the life of a church clock expert will be rewarded for his actions.

The part-time Needham Market fire-fighter was working at St Mary's Church, Woodbridge, when his colleague 70-year-old Cliff Bird suffered a major heart attack.

Ian, who had been trained in heart massage together with Andrew Sleath, an accountant and church treasurer, kept him alive until an ambulance crew arrived.

"I didn't know what was happening," said Cliff, who is retired and lives in Diss with his wife Yvonne.

"I experienced no sound, no light, nothing. I was very fortunate that these two good people were there or I wouldn't be around today.

"I've been asked what I did to deserve being struck down in a church. But it's the best place to have a cardiac arrest. As long as you have some well trained men with a mobile at your side."

Ian is to receive the Chief Fire Officer's Commendation at the brigade's medal ceremony at County Hall, Ipswich, on Wednesday .

Cliff, who is due to have a coronary by-pass operation this month, will also be there on the night.

The three men were discussing the restoration of St Mary's 18th century clock in the clock tower when the incident happened in October last year.

Ian, 50, also a clock expert, said: "I was at the church to have a look at the clock to do some work on it.

"Cliff Bird, the Diocesan Clock Advisor, just sort of collapsed, more or less fainted. He stopped breathing and we did mouth to mouth and CPR (heart massage).

"Then the ambulance took over. I was just doing what anyone would have done."

Grateful Cliff, who has known Ian for a number of years, wrote to the chief fire officer who decided to award him.

"I've very proud to receive this award," said Ian, who said it was the first time he has saved someone's life.

"It just proves CPR does work." He said he had learned his CPR skills with the fire service.