A STOURPORT man who was technically dead for seven minutes has spoken of the importance of having defibrillators available in public places.

Ian Hough was taking part in a regatta at Stourport Boat Club on Saturday, August 13, 2011, when he suffered a cardiac arrest.

Fortunately for the 59-year-old, there was a defibrillator on the site and he was brought back from the brink of death.

Now, Mr Hough is backing a campaign calling for more defibrillators to be made available in public.

In an emotional video released by West Midlands Ambulance Service, Mr Hough, as well as members of his family and friends, have spoken about what happened on that day.

"I was dead for seven minutes," Mr Hough said.

"The people who were here, the nurse, the doctor, the rowers, if it hadn't been for their help, I would never have seen my daughter or my granddaughter.

"The people here and the defibrillator saved my life."