A COUNCIL boss did an 80-mile round trip to say a personal thank-you to a workman who had saved the lives of two men at different recycling centres. Sid Coles, who works at the Wisbech household recycling centre, saved the life of his former teacher this

A COUNCIL boss did an 80-mile round trip to say a personal thank-you to a workman who had saved the lives of two men at different recycling centres.

Sid Coles, who works at the Wisbech household recycling centre, saved the life of his former teacher this year and resuscitated a Littleport man last October.

Now he has been honoured for his actions by Cambridgeshire County Council's chief executive Ian Stewart.

"Sid is very modest about what he did but there is no doubt in my mind that he is a hero and saved two lives," said Mr Stewart. "If it wasn't for Sid's quick thinking and training who knows what could have happened.

"As soon as I heard about him I wanted to make sure his actions were recognised."

Mr Stewart visited Mr Coles at Wisbech to hand him his special honorary award in 'Recognition of Outstanding Customer Service'.

But true to form Mr Coles only reluctantly accepted the award provided there were no photographers present.

In June he was working at the Cambridgeshire County Council-run household waste recycling centre at March, and rushed to the aid of his former teacher after he was taken ill.

The Fenland Recycling employee immediately called for a member of staff to get an ambulance while he resuscitated the March resident.

Mr Coles' valiant efforts saved the man's life, and as he came round he recognised his former pupil by saying "Coles".

He had taught him at Sir Harry Smith Community College in 1978 and 1979.

Mr Coles also helped resuscitate Littleport man David Law last October at the Grunty Fen household waste recycling centre.