A DISTRICT nurse says she was just carrying out her job when she saved the life of a friend.

Tony Marshall had gone into anaphylaxic shock after being stung by his own bees on Sunday.

Fortunately for him, Lesley Chamberlain was off duty and at home. She raced to Tony's house and administered adrenaline.

Tony, who has been keeping bees with a friend for 12 months, said he normally got kitted up in protective clothing when dealing with them.

However, on this occasion it was his friend who was attending to them. Tony had injured his foot and decided to stay well out of the way of the hives.

"I just happened to be where the bees wanted to fly to and a couple stung me," he told the Herald. "I've been stung before but I never had a reaction."

He didn't, therefore, possess adrenaline - the life-saving drug which counteracts the allergic reaction people have when sensitive to bee and wasp stings.

"Within a few minutes I felt nauseous, began to sweat and my throat began to tighten up," he said. "My bee-keeping friend raced down to Lesley's house about 150 yards away to see if she could help.

"Thankfully she was at home and had adrenaline on her. She got to my house within minutes and as soon as she gave me the drug I began to feel better. If she hadn't been at home I don't think I would be here now," he said.

Mrs Chamberlain remains modest about the whole episode.

"I just happen to carry adrenaline in my bag as part of my job as a district nurse. I'm just glad I was at home at the time and able to help a friend," she said.

Tony said he now carries a supply of adrenaline should he ever be stung in the future.

Despite the danger, he is going to continue with the hives and will be harvesting the honey in a few weeks' time.

He says the first jar could well wend its way to Mrs Chamberlain's doorstep.