A paramedic became the first in Sussex to administer a new clot-busting drug after being called to a heart attack victim.

Neville Bettley and crewmate Andrew Blick, an ambulance technician, both based in Rye, were called to the home of Richard Oliver when he began to complain of chest pains.

Mr Oliver, from Rye, was short of breath and the pair made him comfortable before taking him to the Conquest Hospital, Hastings.

Tests revealed Mr Oliver was a perfect candidate for the drug Reteplase and Mr Bettley administered the fast-acting treatment under supervision from hospital staff.

He said: "Although I must admit to being nervous during my training, giving this treatment made me feel that I was really making a difference to the patient's wellbeing."

Dr David Janes, medical director for Sussex Ambulance Service, said using the drug was an important step in saving lives.

He said: "We are currently at the start of an intensive programme of training our staff to enable them to give this life-saving therapy and over the coming months, we will see more heart attack victims successfully treated."