The prospect of major heart surgery would spell the end of many sportsmen's dreams.

But within weeks of a double heart bypass, former county bowler Brian Jennings bounced back to help his club win a league and cup double.

Now Mr Jennings is preparing for a new season in which he hopes to help Shipley's Crowgill Park Bowling Club retain The Wood Cup - contested by teams throughout Yorkshire - and wage a successful campaign in the Bradford League's third division.

Mr Jennings, 64, of Baildon, played in the early stages of the cup but had to sit out as Crowgill progressed while recuperating from his op. But he was determined not to miss the final stages and less than three months after surgery played a crucial role in helping Crowgill win the trophy for the first time.

Crowgill captain and president Jack Stewart, 64, who also underwent bypass surgery more than 15 years ago, said: "I wasn't expecting him to play again for the rest of the season and was amazed when he came back and helped us win the cup and league.

"He wanted to play in the final and is an excellent bowler, one of our best. What he's done is fantastic - a lot of people who need a heart bypass are scared of what it might mean.

"Before mine I could only walk a hundred yards or so, but now I can play bowls all day long. You need to know when to rest and look after your body, but exercise is good for you as it keeps the arteries open and the blood circulating and this shows you can live a good, long life afterwards.''

Brian, a retired Bradford Council housing officer, was part of a team of ten taking part in finals day, winning all four of his games in the last 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals and then final.

Mr Jennings, also a keen golfer, said: "I got permission from my doctor first who said it was fine as long as I didn't overdo it - when I was discharged they said I'd done very well.''

Mr Jennings said he hoped his story would help reassure others facing the prospect of bypass surgery.

"I'd had a minor heart attack two years earlier and was advised to have it done as my arteries were getting blocked.

"The best advice is for people to go with what their specialist says, but if they've been told to have it done, they should."

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