AN ex-NHS worker who was treated by ambulance staff at the centre of a parking ticket storm has sung their praises.

Seventy-four-year-old Steve Pemberton, who has lived in the town his whole life, was cared for by the paramedics earlier in July, after he fell ill with a virus and infection.

He spent two days at Leighton Hospital and is now recovering at home, but says things could have been different without the professionalism of the crew.

Steve said: “I recognised the lady in the video. I couldn’t believe what I was watching – they should all be awarded OBEs, never mind let off parking tickets.

“That team actually spent an hour and a half with me in my home when I was very poorly.

“I couldn’t believe how patient and caring they were with me. They were so kind and helpful.

“Paramedics are so dedicated – they are 100 per cent committed to special care.

“I am on the mend now, but if it hadn’t have been for them it would be a different story.”

Steve himself spent 30 years in the NHS, working with patients suffering from mental health and special educational needs.

He said the ambulance staff had come from a job Mold, in Wales, to his door when he fell ill.

On Tuesday, they stopped for a late lunch at Kingsmead Tesco, having started their shift at 6.45am, and were given a parking ticket for parking on double yellow lines when their ambulance would not fit in a bay.

Leftwich resident Steve said: “That man sits in Kingsmead in his van and waits there to jump on people.

“It is a shame. I dedicated my life to caring for people and things have altered so much recently, and yet these paramedics are still as skilled as any doctors.”