Doctors across the country have come under fire for refusing to operate on pensioners because they are too old. With only finite resources available some have selected the young for surgery because they have a better chance of recovery. But for one great granddad from Baildon the story was different. Les Herd is one of the oldest patients in the district to have a triple bypass. Now it's a new year and a new beginning for 77-year-old Les. Olwen Vasey talked to him.

LIFE IS beginning for Les Herd at the age of 77 after major heart surgery.

The former textile worker became one of the oldest patients in the district to have a triple bypass and pig's valve implanted two years ago. Since then he has battled back to health despite health setbacks, including thrombosis.

But now Les, a great grandfather, says he is a new man and looking forward to the Millennium he once believed he would never see.

And Dr Chris Butler, the GP who referred him for the operation, says: "He is remarkable. He was completely handicapped because of his heart condition. He couldn't even move around very much."

Les, of Coach Road, Baildon, says he will be grateful for the rest of his life to Dr Butler and the medical team which never once took the attitude that he was too old for surgery.

He recalled how he was told by his specialist there were three setbacks - his age, 14-stone weight and the fact that he was a diabetic.

"I was told that with surgery I could last another 14 years but without it I could pop off tomorrow.

"I had just a few minutes to decide, but there wasn't really any choice. Without it I simply wouldn't have been here.

"I don't feel like a man of 77, I feel so different. But it has taken a long time to get to this stage and I haven't been back in hospital since last February.

"Years ago I would have been dead because this operation didn't exist, but it's thanks to the NHS that I'm here.

"I think that everything spent on the Millennium Dome should have been spent on the NHS. The lottery money should also go on the NHS and education."

Les, who worked at Airedale Dyeing Company, Keighley, and then Salts Mill, Saltaire, had his first angina attack at the age of 26.

He put up with the painful and debilitating condition until he was 60 and then it began to worsen dramatically.

Les and his wife Anne, 77, believed life as they had known it was over. Les became house bound and bedridden most of the time because of his serious heart condition.

But heart surgeon Christopher Munsch gave Les his big chance in an operation at Leeds General Infirmary.

Les lay for 32 hours in intensive care while his family agonised about his choice. But he was sitting up and out of bed within three days of going into a normal ward.

He said: "The advice I would give anyone is to go along with the views of your medical team, and do what they believe is best."

Les, who struggled to speak on the telephone or to have conversations for any length of time before his surgery, has even been on holiday to Blackpool with Anne.

He said: "I will never be able to thank the doctors, nurses, hospital staff and above all my own family for giving my life back to me.

"I really appreciate pottering in the kitchen, going to the shops, visits from friends and pricking seedlings sitting on a seat in the garden. I can't say I feel like a young man, but I can say I am really happy."

Anne said: "I'm glad he had it done because I'm certain he wouldn't have been here. He is much better but it has been very worrying."

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