A MAN has paid tribute to two women who helped to save his wife's life when she suffered a heart attack just 20 minutes after seeing in the new year.

Anthony Crompton and wife Jean were celebrating in the Seven Stars pub in Rochdale Road, Bury, on New Year's Eve when Mrs Crompton collapsed.

Quick-thinking Linda Price and Linda Cohen, who have both trained as nurses, saw what was happening and started to perform cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on Mrs Crompton.

An ambulance arrived at the pub a few minutes later and Mrs Crompton was taken to Fairfield Hospital for treatment. She was later transferred to a hospital in Manchester and was discharged on January 5, her 59th birthday.

Mr Crompton (61) said: "I was absolutely distraught when my wife collapsed and I believe it is because of these two women that she is still alive.

"They gave my wife her life back. Without their prompt action, she would not have been here to celebrate her 59th birthday, and I am very grateful to them. They really were in the right place at the right time. They must be the first heroes of 2006."

Mrs Crompton is now recovering at her home in Bury Old Road, Heap Bridge, and is grateful to the two women who helped to save her life.

But despite all the praise, Miss Price and Mrs Cohen remain modest. Miss Price (53), a friend of the couple from Heywood, said: "At the time it was quite a harrowing experience and it really shook me up.

"I did train as a nurse but I haven't worked in medicine for more than 30 years, so I'm just relieved that I had enough knowledge left from that time to be able to help. I don't think I did anything that anyone else wouldn't have done. I am thankful that Mrs Crompton is recovering now."

Mrs Cohen (52), a senior staff nurse at Fairfield Hospital, was also in the pub at the time and went to help Mrs Crompton.

Mrs Cohen, of Halstead Street, Walmersley, said: "I stayed very calm and cool-headed while we were giving CPR and checking Mrs Crompton's pulse, but afterwards my legs just turned to jelly. I couldn't believe what had happened. I'm really glad I was there and that she's okay."

To thank them, Mr Crompton has already sent cards to Miss Price and Mrs Cohen, and is planning to give them some specially-made jewellery.

He said: "A card and some jewellery are small gestures, but I really don't know how I can properly thank them for what they did. My wife and I are indebted to them. It's nice to know there are still some good people around."