a heart scare landed him in a US hospital only days before his official leaving date.

Mr. Willis and wife Meg left the Island on Saturday after winding up his personal affairs and briefing his successor Tim Gurney.

And Mr. Willis -- rushed to the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital with a suspected heart attack two weeks ago -- thanked hospital staff and everyone who sent their best wishes while he was in hospital.

He said: "The treatment at the King Edward is first class, it really is. And Johns Hopkins Hospital was very good as well.'' Mr. Willis added: "I want to say how grateful Meg and I were for all the expressions of concern, messages of support and prayers.

"It did mean a lot -- it really overwhelmed us and it was very much appreciated. That will be something we will always remember.'' Mr. Willis, 54, arrived back in Bermuda on Tuesday after being treated at Johns Hopkins for a blocked heart artery.

He flew back to Britain at the weekend in preparation for his retirement from the Foreign Office.

Mr. Willis said: "Something like this is a shock. It's very sobering and it makes you concentrate on the important things in life.

"It underlines things which are important, like friendships you have made and we look forward to renewing these links in the future.'' Mr. Willis was admitted to the King Edward after suffering chest pains and doctors ordered up a special air ambulance to fly him to the US for further tests by cardiac experts.

It was feared he might need bypass surgery -- but doctors were able to clear the artery without major surgery.

Mr. Willis took ill only days before he was due to end his four-year tour of duty on the Island.

Mr. and Mrs. Willis intend to retire to France, where one of their daughters lives.

HEALTH HTH