A woman has praised the swift and efficient actions of an ambulance crew who she believes helped save her husband's life after he suffered a stroke outside his home.

A woman has praised the swift and efficient actions of an ambulance crew who she believes helped save her husband's life after he suffered a stroke outside his home.

Christine Daniel arrived home to find her husband Roger collapsed at their front door and immediately called the ambulance service.

Mr Daniel, well-known in the Fakenham area as a musician and organist at the town's parish church, is now recovering in the special stroke unit of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King's Lynn.

Mrs Daniel says she was told that had her husband not been discovered for another 30 minutes he probably wouldn't have survived.

“After I called the emergency service they were with Roger in six minutes and I believe they saved his life. I can't praise their actions highly enough,” she said. She said she will write to the East of England Ambulance Service to personally thank them for what they did for her husband.

A spokesman for the service said: “We are pleased to hear that this patient is making a good recovery and thank his wife for her kind words about the actions of our crew. Although dealing with medical emergencies is second nature to them, it is still a lot for them to know that their skills are appreciated.”

She said that despite his condition - he suffered paralysis in his right arm and leg and has difficulty reading - he is keeping his spirits up. “He hasn't lost his sense of humour,” she said.

Mr Daniel, 65, a retired dentist formerly in partnership with John Plummer on Norwich Road, now devotes his time to his musical interests which includes involvement with a number of local amateur theatrical groups including Fakenham and District Light Operatic Society and Dereham Operatic Society. He had been closely involved in the Son et Lumiere event at Fakenham Church which opens tonight.

“People have been stopping me in the street to ask after Roger and he has been sent around 100 get well and good wishes cards for which we are most appreciative. I think he will have to remain in hospital for another month,” she said.

For many years Roger has written the script and been musical director for the annual pantomime staged by Ryburgh Players and rehearsals have been put on hold following Roger's illness. It is unlikely that he will be well enough to continue in the role and the group are searching for someone to volunteer as a replacement musical director. Anyone interested in the role is asked to contact Jayne Cubitt on 01328 853863.