Andrew Clarkson, 54, collapsed at his home in Hemsworth, West Yorkshire, in the early hours of Monday.

Controllers at West Yorkshire Metropolitan Ambulance Service dispatched firefighters to him because no paramedic crews were immediately available.

An investigation into the incident is under way.

On the rare occasion we needed an ambulance, it did not turn up

Stephen Day, Mr Clarkson's nephew

In a statement, the ambulance service said: "We would like to offer our sincere condolences to the family.

"We would also like to apologise for the response which was not within our normal high levels of performance."

The firefighters, from South Elmsall, unsuccessfully tried to revive Mr Clarkson using artificial respiration.

Mr Clarkson's nephew, Stephen Day, 25, praised the fire crew for its efforts, but said that the family was "frantic" waiting for the ambulance.

He said: "The firefighters were magnificent. But no one knows if paramedics had arrived earlier, whether it would have saved my uncle's life.

"My family are upset that on the rare occasion we needed an ambulance, it did not turn up."

West Yorkshire Fire Authority member and Wakefield councillor David Atkinson said he is concerned about the incident.

'Not equipped'

Mr Atkinson, who was a firefighter for 29 years, said: "I am concerned about firefighters seemingly being used to plug the holes in the ambulance service cover.

"I am sure the crew which went did its very best but they are just not equipped for that kind of thing.

"I can't help thinking it would have been better to call out an emergency doctor or ambulance crew from another area."

John Trickett, Labour MP for Hemsworth, is calling on the health secretary to launch an inquiry.