A 57-YEAR-OLD man who collapsed in Brockley on Christmas Eve and was helped by two PCSOs is now on the road to recovery.

Karen Creech from Ladywell Safer Neighbourhoods Team and Heather Watchorn from Crofton Park Neighbourhoods Team were on foot patrol in Brockley Road when the man suffered a heart attack.

They immediately began to administer first aid, performing CPR on the man who was unresponsive and not breathing.

They were able to get him breathing at the scene before the paramedics arrived with a defibrillator.

He was taken to hospital in a critical condition but is now stable and has been transferred out of intensive care.

PCSO Watchorn said: "This was the first time I have dealt with a situation like that and our immediate thoughts were, we have to help this man. What this has shown both of us is whatever you do next can make a huge difference to someone's life."

Chief Inspector Stuart Bell, responsible for Safer Neighbourhoods on Lewisham, said: "The PCSOs acted quickly without hesitation in what was a spontaneous situation, their actions undoubtedly gave this man the best opportunity for survival.

"This was the first time these officers have been faced to deal with such a situation and they excelled in their approach and attitude."