The daughter of an elderly man who collapsed and died in Stevenage High Street has thanked those who tried to help.

Derrick Ashpole, of Bedwell in Stevenage, suffered a cardiac arrest while out with wife Lynette and daughter Karen McKenna on Thursday.

The 82-year-old remained unconscious for about 20 minutes outside Waitrose before both land and air ambulances arrived.

Mr Ashpole, who also had diabetes, suffered a blood clot and was taken to Lister Hospital, but sadly died.

His daughter Karen said: “He hadn’t eaten in a while and we were all stood around discussing where we should go to get some food when he suddenly fell to the floor.

“He seemed to fall unconscious immediately, really, without any warning.

“I would like to say a big heartfelt thank you to all the people who stopped to help, or who offered to help, my dad.

“Both my mum and I were overwhelmed with the kindness shown by so many strangers.

“He was a lovely man who was quite well known in the area. He was always very outgoing and happy to talk to anyone. We will all miss him dearly.”

Mr Ashpole grew up in the Bedfordshire area before joining the RAF, where he served for four years.

He got married at age 24 and lived in Stevenage for the rest of his life. He is survived by his wife Lynette his children Kristina, Karen and Keith, and three grandchildren.

His funeral has yet to be arranged.