A St Mary’s Cray woman has thanked the people who rushed to her husband’s aid after he collapsed in Marks and Spencer.

John Lisney, 69, was in Nugent Shopping Centre on his birthday on Sunday (August 12) when he suddenly fell ill inside the supermarket.

His worried wife, Valerie, 63, spoke to News Shopper to express her gratitude do those inside M&S who used first aid on John and called the ambulance.

“He said he needed to sit down and we found a chair,” she said. “Within a few minutes he was on the floor having a fit.”

Valerie, who said it was a big scare, added that her husband has diabetes and a similar incident happened two years ago.

“He was out for a few minutes,” she continued. “The people there were extremely helpful and couldn’t have done more if they tried.

“I didn’t take their names because of the panic. Another lady sat with me and phoned my daughter and made him really comfortable until the paramedics arrived.

“A situation like that is frightening for anybody, but they were brilliant.”

John went to hospital for some tests and is now at home recovering.

His wife went back to the supermarket the following day to thank the staff who assisted.

Asked about the remainder of his birthday celebrations, Valerie joked: “He can’t remember much about it and has been asleep.

“It’s not the best birthday ever.”