A dad-of-four and dedicated volunteer has become a regular face in a Braintree charity shop after becoming inspired to help others when he had a near-death experience.

Retired security officer Robert Yates, of Bedells Avenue, Black Notley, underwent a qaudruple heart bypass in 2009 and said he died for a few moments as he was lifted off a stretcher at Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford.

Mr Yates, who is aged in his 60s, said the experience - when he saw a black tunnel in front of a bright light - has changed him for good and now means he makes each moment count.

See this week's Braintree and Witham Times for the full story.