Two years ago Sarah Gregory completed a first aid course just in case she ever found herself in a situation where she had to save someone’s life.

Now the former Milford Haven woman has done just that.

The 36 year-old was working as a receptionist at the BMW Cardiff store in Penarth, when she heard an elderly male customer in trouble.

“The gentleman seemed to have lost consciousness and had stopped breathing,” she said.

Sarah then administered mouth to mouth on the customer, Mervyn Hughes, while instructing another customer to keep compressing his chest.

This process continued for about 20 minutes before emergency services arrived.

“I’m just so happy I was able to help,” Sarah added.

“It’s the first time I’ve used any first aid skills since I did the course. I was afraid because my first thought was what if I’m not able to do anything.

“But in that split second you realise you have to do what you can.”

It later emerged Mr Hughes had suffered a heart attack.

He said: “I owe my life to Sarah. I can’t express my gratitude enough that she was there.”

Sarah’s parents Linda and Peter Gregory, of West Hill, Milford Haven, said they were very proud of their daughter’s actions, while a spokesman for BMW also praised Sarah for her calm and efficient approach in dealing with the crisis.

A spokesman for St John Ambulance congratulated Sarah on her actions.

“It’s a fantastic story,” they said.

“A lot of people assume they will never be in a situation where they have to use first aid, but you never know when something is going to happen.”