LIBERAL Democrat councillor Tony Sutton has praised the staff at Nottingham's two hospitals after he suffered a mild heart attack.

The city councillor, who is also a prospective parliamentary candidate for Nottingham South, experienced chest pains last Wednesday.

Coun Sutton was taken by ambulance to the Queen's Medical Centre, from where he was transferred to the City Hospital.

He told the Post he underwent a surgical procedure within two hours of being taken ill to clear a blocked coronary artery and to insert a "stent" – a small tube to keep the vessel open and clear.

"The service I have received has been absolutely fantastic," said Coun Sutton. "I felt ill at lunchtime and everything was sorted out by teatime. It was magnificent. I am really grateful to all of the NHS staff who helped and cared for me."

Coun Sutton, who represents Wollaton East and Lenton Abbey, said he still planned to fight for the Nottingham South seat at the general election. He said: "I will rest for a few weeks and then will come back stronger than ever to campaign as hard as I can to win the election."

Coronary care deputy sister Lisa Holloway said staff aimed to have patients in surgery within 90 minutes of them seeing a doctor. She said the procedure Coun Sutton underwent is far more effective than using clot-busting drugs.

"With the drugs you could not always be sure if the clot had completely gone." she said. "With this procedure we see less complications and shorter hospital stays."