NEWPORT councillor Allan Morris is back on his feet and raring to go less than a week after coming out of hospital after undergoing lifesaving heart surgery Now the Lliswerry councillor wants to help raise money for the British Heart Foundation whose support he has found "invaluable."

Councillor Morris, who will be mayor next year, said: "I will certainly be looking at raising money for the British Heart Foundation, both as mayor and personally. The work they do and the support they provide for families is incredible.

"They give you a lot of confidence and reassurance so you know exactly what is going to happen."

Councillor Morris underwent a five and a half hour triple bypass operation at the University of Wales Hospital, Cardiff, on August 3 and was discharged last Tuesday.

Councillor Morris, who has two grown-up children and two grandchildren, said he is making a "superb" recovery, with support from his wife Jane, his family, and dozens of messages of support from constituents and friends.

He said: "The initial stages were a bit rough and I had breathing difficulties, but the cards and support gave my wife a lot of encouragement."

The former fireman is now walking a mile a day as part of a set programme of short distance walks until he can get fully back on his feet.

He said: "It's incredible, I feel fitter than I have done in many years. Jane is having to slow me down quite considerably and remind me I have got to walk before I can run."

He now plans to keep his weight under control and exercise more.

He said: "I always watched my weight, but as my condition got worse I could barely walk."

Councillor Morris, whose parents and grandparents died of heart-related illness, all in their early sixties, discovered he needed a bypass after a colleague recommended he went for a check-up nine months ago.

Doctors said he was lucky they discovered the problem otherwise he could have died.

He said: "I was very lucky this was picked up the right side of a heart attack.

"Now I want to help the BHF so other people with heart problems like myself can go on getting the right help, advice and treatment.

"I'm looking at ways wherever I can to raise a few bob for them."

Councillor Morris, who is in his 50s, has been a councillor for about 20 years, representing the Lliswerry and Malpas wards.

He also writes a Grassroots column for the Argus and campaigns against anti-social behaviour.