A MAN was reunited with two police officers on the anniversary of them saving his life.

David Venn, 62, had just finished a workout in the gym at Durham County Cricket Club, in Chester-le-Street, when he collapsed in the reception area.

Police officers Tony Robinson and Paul Hadden were at the cricket ground on a call and rushed to Mr Venn's aid, believing he was having an epileptic fit. When his heart stopped, DC Robinson gave mouth-to-mouth resuscitation while Sgt Hadden gave heart massage.

Although the retired pharmaceutical company production manager was clinically dead for 25 minutes, the pair managed to revive him.

He made a full recovery, and was reunited with the officers a year to the week after the incident, on June 23, when all three were invited to a cricket match by Durham County Cricket Club.

Mr Venn, of Great Lumley, said: "If it hadn't been for Tony and Paul, I wouldn't be alive. Meeting up at the match was smashing. They are nice guys and spending time with them was terrific."

DC Robinson said: "It was a sequence of events that meant myself and Paul happened to be walking past reception when David collapsed. Who knows what might have happened if we hadn't been there. I must admit, I thought we were fighting a losing battle, but we just kept going until the paramedics arrived."

The officers were presented with certificates of merit by St John Ambulance.