HE was clinically dead for two minutes after being "killed" by the heroin that had plagued his life for 12 years.

But when Paul Ellis was revived by doctors he woke up a changed man, vowing to stay clean and to never return to prison.

The 33-year-old, who grew up in Fulford, York, lived on the streets for more than a decade after his life spiralled out of control when he became hopelessly addicted to the lethal drug.

He was in and out of jail for years after stealing to feed his habit and would always return to his criminal ways after being released.

Now Paul is a reformed character after his near-death experience in York Hospital and has been clean of heroin for six months.

He said: "I won't touch heroin again - I'm done with it.

"For the last 12 years I've hidden behind it, but now I am learning to deal with my emotions properly.

"You have got to want to do this, but there is help out there and I want to encourage other addicts that it can be done."

Paul said he suffered an infection on a heart valve after injecting some heroin and was put in intensive care at York Hospital where he had his near death experience.

"It scared the life out of me when I woke up," he said. "It was my wake up call, my second chance."

Paul, who is taking methadone to ease the cravings, has been reunited with his family since going clean. He is now living at the Peasholme homeless centre, but is on the council waiting list for a flat and plans to start a counselling course at college in September.

He hopes to eventually use his experiences to help and support other addicts and homeless people.

Paul has been supported throughout his recovery by the Salvation Army's homeless Early Intervention and Prevention Team.

His support worker, Paula Shepherd, who has worked closely with him for six months, said: "This is not going to happen overnight and Paul will need our continued support.

"He has done things in his past that he is not proud of, but he needs to leave that behind him now and move forward."

Richard Whittaker, another of Paul's support workers, said: "Paul was clinically dead for two minutes because of the heroin, but he woke up a new man.

"He has been so motivated to change and these are still early days, but what he has achieved in six months is remarkable.

"Paul is an example to other addicts that there is a way out."

In a message to those he committed offences against before he gave up heroin, Paul told The Press: "I'm really sorry for any stress I've caused and to those I stole from over the years to support my habit.

"Paula has been there for me through everything. The Salvation Army team has been fantastic. I am just really buzzing at the moment and looking to the future."