A LARGS businessman says he is lucky to be alive after suffering a heart attack on the tennis courts at Inverclyde Sports Centre.

David Ennis, 74, was playing a doubles match when he collapsed following a rally a few weeks ago.

Only the quick-thinking of fellow players and emergency services workers who rushed to his aid saved his life.

The local grandfather is very well known in the town, serving as director and treasurer of the Gillian's Saltire Appeal charity and a director of the Brisbane Observatory Trust.

David, who lives in Noddleburn, said: "I was playing tennis doubles with partner Colin Campbell, and suddenly I felt a heavy pain in my chest. I stumbled to the side of the court and I knew right away that it was a heart attack as I could feel thee pain going right up my arm.

"I collapsed and was drifting in and out of consciousness. The pain was unlike anything I've ever experienced."

Two hero sports centre workers rushed to David's side and administered first aid until the Largs First Responders arrived.

David added: "The Fire Brigade also came to help and then the ambulance arrived before taking me to the Golden Jubilee Hospital.

"It is not until an emergency like this happens that you realise how everyone here rallies round. I would like to thank everyone on the day, they were magnificent and are the reason why I am still here today."

David received an angioplasty, where a balloon is inserted via the wrist and used to widen a narrowed artery in or near the heart.

He said: "It goes up through the artery and into the chest cavity and they blow up the balloon. The surgeon who did the procedure was ironically from Ennis in Ireland and kept talking to me to keep me calm. He was brilliant."

The cause of David's heart attack was found to be a failed stent, inserted in his chest during a surgery in Japan 18 years ago.

He said: "The stents have been working well but one failed and caused a blood clot."

David is now back on the road to recovery and although he is not as yet back on the tennis court, he has been back out on his electric bike.

David is father to sons Mark, and Gary, who runs NS Design in the town, and grandfather to Jamie, and Josh.

He is also a long standing member of the Magic Circle and a member of Hunterston Rotary. David was a high powered executive with Japanese technology firm OKI Printing Solutions, working as their managing director for many years before retirement.

David joked: "I now have five stents, which I suppose makes me a man of steel."

David has been involved in Gillian's Saltire Appeal since its inception 14 years ago and is also the charity's treasurer. He has also served on Largs Community Council.

The grandfather has asked the News to said he wanted to thank tennis players Colin Campbell, Colin Scott and Maurice McMillan, Inverclyde Sports Centre staff, the emergency services, including Largs Fire Brigade, First Responders and the NHS for all their help.