SWAPPING a dog collar for a workout kit has proved a healthy formula for a Blackpool vicar and his new heart.

Reverend John Dennett, who underwent a lifesaving heart transplant, is enjoying life to the full with the help of a fitness programme developed at the Imperial Hotel's health spa.

The Reverend celebrated the sixth anniversary of his operation in an energetic fashion at the gym - before sharing a bottle of wine with the staff to mark the occasion!

He said: "There was initially no physiotherapy available to me in Blackpool after the operation, so I had to organise something myself.

"Carol Boardman, the club's manager has helped me immensely, we built up a training schedule that started off very easy and have gradually stepped it up."

He admitted he still has his ups and downs, but is enjoying "a better quality of life than he could have ever imagined."

After a serious heart attack, John was unable to walk more than 15 yards without feeling breathless.

Now, he combines helping out part-time at Bispham Parish Church with his duties as Church of England chaplain at Trinity Hospice and regular workouts at the Promenade hotel.

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