A RETAINED firefighter who saved his wife's life has been nominated for a national award.

Phil Musgrove leapt into action after returning from a late night shout and discovering his wife Paula going into cardiac arrest.

Initially, his daughter complained that she thought Phil was snoring loudly, but he soon realised Paula was experiencing agonal breathing - (noisy infrequent gasping breaths) - and a sign of cardiac arrest.

Phil, who had qualified as a British Heart Foundation heartstart instructor in 2009, put his training to good use, performing CPR on Paula until paramedics arrived on the scene.

Thankfully, Paula made a successful recovery made possible by Phil’s actions.

Now watch manager Phil has been put forward for a British Hart Foundation Heart Hero Award, which recognises exceptional contributions in the fight against heart disease.

His colleague, firefighter Richard Flavin, is also on the shortlist in the innovation category for their work as instructors for Heartstart Somerset.

Since then they have trained more than 2,659 people on how to perform CPR and the effective use of a public access defibrillator.

Phil tells students on the course of the evening he saved Paula's life and also how, assisted by Williton fire crew, he helped keep a 61-year-old Watchet man alive performing CPR until a helicopter arrived to transport hime to hospital.

Phil and Richard have also been working tirelessly fundraising to enable placement of defibrillators in local communities and have provided follow-up training in village halls, schools and open days.

They have also trained staff at Taunton Town Football Club and police cadets in Taunton.