A MAN who suffered a huge heart attack while refereeing a rugby match and survived after being given life-saving treatment on the pitch is making steady progress in hospital.

Doug Skelton, 50, from Brayton, collapsed to the ground and stopped breathing while refereeing a seven-a-side match in Selby on Saturday.

His was saved by off duty duty special constable and rugby player Neil Williams and team physiotherapist Hayley Brady who helped to resuscitate him before he was taken by air ambulance to hospital.

Doug, a quantity surveyor from Brayton, is now recovering in York Hospital and his family and paramedics have credited Neil and Hayley with saving his life. Yesterday a spokeswoman at York Hospital said he was making steady progress.