AN inspirational heart patient was ‘on top of the world’ when he climbed to the summit of three challenging Lake District peaks – only two months after undergoing a quadruple bypass operation.

Steve Thomas, aged 55, whose life was in danger when he suffered a second heart attack in February, even managed to scramble to the top of the highest fell in the southern lakes – ‘Old Man’ at Coniston.

As well as scaling the 2,600ft peak, Steve, from Rainhill, also reached the summits of nearby fells Wetherlam and Swirl How on the same day.

Steve’s partner, Joanne, beamed: “I’ve never been as proud of anyone in my life.

“It was absolutely brilliant to see him reach the summit – especially as it was only 63 days since his major operation. We were on top of the world.

“When we found out he needed a quadruple bypass, we thought his life could be very bleak. But Steve’s got so much determination, he’s made a miraculous recovery.”

Prior to the bypass operation, doctors at Broad Green Hospital warned Steve that he had three major blockages in his arteries.

But after surviving the potentially life-threatening procedure, and spending two days on the critical care unit on a lung and heart drain, he started to make a rapid recovery.

According to Joanne, aged 38, 38), of Prescot, Steve’s surgeon is ‘the next thing to god in my eyes’.

She added: “Steve has had heart problems for ten years now and after all he’s been through you realise that every day of life is precious. He is the most friendly, bubbly man you will ever meet - but this surgery has given him a new lease of life.

“We are planning to take on all 214 of Wainwright’s Walks now and we even hope to buy a canoe to go out on the Lakes whenever we want to.”