THE deputy leader of Worcester City Council says he hopes to return to the council chamber soon, after making a steady recovery from a heart attack.

Currently recuperating at his Worcester home, Councillor Barry Mackenzie Williams told your Worcester News the ordeal had been "a bit of an eye-opener", but that he has not lost his appetite for public office.

Indeed, the Conservative councillor for Bedwardine ward has been able to maintain some input on city decisions from the comfort of his home over recent weeks, despite officially having put a hold on council business after suffering the mild heart attack on November 28.

He said: "I feel personally that I'm moving forward, albeit slowly.

"It's been a bit of an eye-opener, and I don't think my progress has been as straightforward as it can be in this situation.

"I've got some more tests this week and of course we'll have to wait to see the results, but I would have thought my return would be quite quick after that.

"It's just a case of resolving a couple of underlying problems that seem to be rather resistant to standard treatment."

Coun Mackenzie Williams, 77, said he had received numerous messages of support from well-wishers and had been "very well visited" by friends and family over the past few weeks.

He has kept up with council work via e-mail, so he is still included in its decisions.