PARAMEDIC and part-time policeman Pete O'Inn is looking forward to putting his feet up as he prepares for retirement.

Mr O'Inn, who once had to go into hospital for treatment in his own ambulance, is leaving the South Western Ambulance Service after 28 years and Dorset Police after 10 years.

"I've got nothing planned and I'm really looking forward to it," said father-of-three Mr O'Inn, 60.

After 15 years in the army serving as a transport sergeant in the Devon and Dorset Regiment, Mr O'Inn joined up as an ambulanceman in his hometown of Weymouth, and was later promoted to duty manager.

He said: "It was a bit of a change of direction for me but I was fed up in the army because I was going away every eight months and missed my kids grow up.

"The ambulance service was different back then. We worked out of Westwey Road and did the patient transport as well as the emergencies.

"We didn't have half the equipment in the ambulances as we do now. If you have a heart attack in Dorset these days you're far better off than anywhere else in the country because paramedics have clot-busting drugs they can administer on scene.

"Back then all we could do was give the patient oxygen and get them to hospital as quickly as possible."

Mr O'Inn, of Wyke Regis, is also hanging up his policeman's hat.

He said: "I've been a Special Constable for 10 years.

"The police service was always something I quite fancied but I didn't have the education to be a real copper."

Mr O'Inn, who has invited friends and colleagues to his leaving party at the police social club in Radipole Lane on Friday, December 7, says ill heath has forced him to take early retirement.

He said: "I was working when I suffered chest pains and had to go into hospital.

"I've got a bit of a heart condition now so I'm leaving the service. It's a young man's game.

"I will miss the people I work with in both the police and the ambulance service."