AN MSP used his first aid training after a guide tumbled down a hillside during a visit to an East Lothian woodland.

David Torrance, MSP for Kirkcaldy, was one of the members of the Scottish Parliament’s citizen participation and public petitions committee who visited Pressmennan Wood, near Stenton, last week.

However, a worker from the Woodland Trust Scotland lost their footing and fell down a hillside.

Mr Torrance carried out a check on the member of staff, who was taken to hospital.

A spokesperson for Woodland Trust Scotland confirmed that the member of staff was recovering at home and highlighted the importance of first aid training.

He said: “We are grateful to the whole committee on the visit for their calm and helpful response to the situation.

“Everyone pulled together brilliantly.

“We are big believers in the benefits of regularly updated first aid training and one of our staff at the visit was also a qualified first aider.

“The more people out and about who know what to do in these situations the better.

“In instances from someone collapsing in a city street through to hypothermia on a mountain, the actions of those on the scene can make a huge difference.”