A NEW service for patients at Andover War Memorial Hospital has speeded their recovery and put one grateful man back in the driving seat.

Ian Hewish, aged 59, from Tangley, has just got his LGV licence back and he says he could not have done it so quickly without the support of the cardiac rehab group.

This long-awaited service helps patients achieve a good level of fitness and confidence in their physical abilities, after they have had heart attacks or surgery.

Ian was referred to the group from the Royal Hampshire County Hospital where he was recovering from a heart attack.

Like all those that attend the group, he was carefully assessed and then set a special exercise programme.

Group members wear heart monitors and are given the optimum heart rate band to work within.

Ian's improved fitness was key to the DVLA granting him back his LGV licence.

He had to pass a treadmill test to show he was well enough to get behind the wheel again.

Now he has a licence for three years.

He said: "I would probably have got my licence back but it would have taken me a lot longer.

"When you leave hospital you're frightened to walk up the stairs too often but coming to this group has shown me what I can do.

"Most of all it has made me feel confident again - and the group made me feel welcome."

Many of those who complete the 12-week rehab course then join the Andover Heart Support Group.

This meets weekly in the gym at the hospital and is ideal for people who may want to carry on with exercise but not in a commercial gym or leisure centre.

Members can only join if they have gone through the rehab programme.