A LARGS grandfather who beat coronavirus has praised the hospital staff who helped to save his life.

Charles McMurdo, 65, was admitted to Inverclyde Royal Hospital after stomach and abdominal pains worsened and his temperature rocketed.

The former electrician had to be put on a ventilator for four days after testing positive for the deadly disease.

Charles, of Moorburn Road, was left in isolation as he battled to survive with his wife Maureen and family unable to visit.

He spoke exclusively to the News to thank the heroic NHS staff who saved his life - and to urge others to heed government health advice.

Charles is now home continuing his recuperation as Maureen explained how she feared her husband could die.

She said: ""It was terribly frightening. I did wonder at one point whether Charles was going to pull through."

The granddad added: "It is a huge relief to be back home and I want to say thank you to everyone for their messages of support."

Charles explained how the illness started with pains in his stomach last Sunday before he noticed his temperature was also starting to creep up.

He said: "When I arrived at Inverclyde Royal Hospital, they told me that I had the symptoms of Covid-19. My temperature had gone through the roof and they did a test and told me it was coronavirus.

"I was given oxygen through my nose and monitored every three hours.

"I was still eating and drinking but you couldn't taste much - I felt quite bloated, it was a horrible feeling. There was a lot of people coughing around about me in the ward I was put on.

"My temperature eventually stabilised and I managed to get out of hospital five days later. I was desperate to get back home."

"I have no idea how I got it. If I hadn't been taken to the hospital on Sunday who knows what would have happened?

"I am still short of breath but I am feeling a lot better. I am very relieved."

Charles is senior president at Halkshill Bowling Club and is well known on the bowls circuit, having featured for West Kilbride B.C in the past.

He was a special policeman in the area for many years as well as an electrician for Harris of Saltcoats. He also helped with the construction of Inverkip Power Station in the 1970s.

A grandfather of 13, Charles has been swamped by phone calls from family and friends since getting out of hospital.

He said: "The phone has never stopped! People need to be careful, it is so important now for people to self isolate and stay at home."

Maureen, 66, said: "It was terrible as I couldn't see Charles and I couldn't visit him. He would text me with updates.

"We were up at 4am the night before he was admitted. We didn't phone the ambulance as we didn't want to bother them at that time of night.

"However, the situation worsened and I phoned 111 and asked if there was anyway he could go up to the hospital. Charles was struggling and was shouting from his bedroom that he needed a doctor and the ambulance came on Sunday afternoon.

"The ambulance driver came in and checked him over and found that his temperature was sky high."

At 7pm that night Maureen was told that Charlie's condition was 'very serious'.

She said: "It was awful

"I don't understand how he got it as he had just been pottering about in the greenhouse for the most part.

"I asked the hospital about being tested myself but I am feeling fine right now and attending to Charlie's every need - including breakfast, lunch and dinner!

"I am even doing the gardening which is something Charles love to do.

"Our son Gordon has been a great help in terms of getting all the shopping and attending to things around the house."

Charles added: "I have to sincerely thank the NHS and staff at Inverclyde Royal for all their fantastic help and support - they are rushed off their feet but were absolutely brilliant with me.

"The pressure they are under is unreal - I have now seen that for myself

"I have nothing but praise for them - they were absolutely brilliant in helping me get through."