Staff at a Farnham coffee shop are the barista in the business according to a man whose heart temporarily stopped in their Castle Street branch.

Don’t ever underestimate the kindness of strangers: those are the sentiments of Andrew Henderson as staff and customers leapt to his aid after he recently collapsed in Caffè Nero .

Mr Henderson was visiting the branch with a friend when he felt dizzy after ordering and paying for coffee and cakes.

The next thing he remembers is looking up at concerned faces telling him to be still and his bleeding head being wrapped with gauze. The Osborn Road resident later discovered his heart had temporarily stopped with the customer banging his head on the way down.

He said: “My implanted defibrillator had worked brilliantly but there I was, lying on the floor and fully conscious after a few seconds.

“I was being cared for by the manager, Ryan, and several other wonderful people whose names I sadly cannot remember.

“These angels of mercy included a doctor, nurse and others who all helped in whatever way they could. They contacted my wife to let her know what happened and they looked after my friend wonderfully.”

Andrew’s excellent care continued in the Cardiac Care Unit of Frimley Park Hospital while their paramedics were equally complimentary of the Caffè Nero good Samaritans.

Mr Henderson added: “While I was waiting in the ambulance and paramedics were carrying out their checks, Ryan kept checking on my progress and letting people know what was happening.

“One of the paramedics remarked that those who looked after me were the most efficient and caring she or her colleagues had ever witnessed.

He added: “I would like to thank all those helped me in Caffè Nero – you will know who you are.”