TWO quick-thinking council workers were hailed heroes for helping to save a man's life after he fell unconscious in his Alloa garden.

Mark Allan and Stephen Lamb, maintenance operatives at Kelliebank, were on their way to a routine work call when they spotted a man lying on the grass in his back garden.

Rather than thinking nothing more of it, they decided to check on him to be sure everything was alright.

However, they quickly realised the man was not breathing and immediately called for an ambulance.

Despite having no formal first aid training under their belts, the duo bravely carried out chest compressions for more than 10 minutes until the ambulance arrived.

Stephen said: "The call handler asked us to put the phone up to the man's mouth to check his breathing and then told us that we had to start doing chest compressions.

"I put the speaker phone on so the call handler could talk us through what to do."

As the ambulance crew scrambled to the scene, the life-saving duo took turns to keep up the pace with chest compressions in a bid to keep oxygen flowing to the man's vital organs.

Paramedics told the pair that had it not been for their actions and quick-thinking, the patient could have easily died.

Mark added: "If you think someone needs help, you should always stop.

"Neither of us had any training whatsoever and we managed to help save a life."

Both men, who joined the council four years ago, are now hoping to go on a first aid course through work to make sure they know what to do in an emergency.

Their quick-thinking and actions were praised by the bosses as well.

Pete Leonard, Clackmannanshire Council's strategic director for the Place Division, said: "This must have been a frightening and stressful experience for Mark and Stephen.

"They had no idea when they set out on a routine work call what they would be facing.

"Despite not having had any training, they managed to remain calm under pressure and help to save this man's life.

"I am extremely proud of both of them."