A press photographer was moments from death after collapsing with a severe allergic reaction after being stung by a bee.

Wilshire Gazette & Herald man Paul Morris was out on assignment with reporter Nigel Kerton when he fell ill.

The cameraman was struggling for breath and on the point of unconsciousness on arrival at hospital, where he was diagnosed with anaphylactic shock and given adrenalin.

He already knew bee stings made him feel off colour but he was unaware he had a full-blown allergy to them.

He said afterwards: "The nurses told me I was just a few minutes from death. It never affected me like this before."

His colleague Nigel said: "He was gasping for breath and saying he was unable to breathe.

"He went down on his knees and vomited and he was clearly in a bad way.

"His lips were swollen and blue and he was straining to breathe. I was going to dial 999 for an ambulance when I realised it would be quicker to drive him to Savernake."

Editor Gary Lawrence said: "When our photographer collapsed with anaphylactic shock after being stung by a bee while out in Marlborough we decided to make it a front page story because it highlighted the enormous stupidity of the plan to close the minor injuries unit at the town's Savernake Hospital.

"Thankfully the unit at Savernake is still open and he was able to get an adrenalin injection. The nurse there told him he was minutes from death."

Paul, who has made a full recovery and was due back at work today, will now have to carry a special EpiPen adrenalin shot with him at all times.