Footballers playing in a district league match helped to save the life of the referee after he had a suspected heart attack in the middle of the game.

Referee Peter Stephen, 51, collapsed on the pitch after colliding with a player during the second half of the Bristol and District League Division One match between Talbot Knowle and Lawrence Rovers.

Talbot Knowle players Archie Lewis, 36, and Jimmy Lovell, 29, carried out mouth to mouth resuscitation and heart massage on the referee for several minutes before paramedics arrived.

Mr Stephen, a father of two from the Winterbourne area of Bristol, has been a referee for 15 years.

His 21-year-old son Paul said: 'I was so shocked when I heard what had happened to my dad. These two players really are heroes - they really did save his life.'

He added that Mr Stephen was recovering in Bristol Royal Infirmary where he is undergoing tests.

'He is still shocked but recovering well,' Paul said. 'He loves refereeing and I hope he will be back on the pitch soon.'

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