THE family of a community stalwart who died after suffering a sudden heart attack have installed their 20th defibrillator as a project in his name goes from strength to strength.

Weardale's Gillian Hutchinson, co-founded the David Nelson Memorial Fund, after he father's sudden death in 2015.

And along with her sister-in-law, Alison Nelson, the family have now installed 20 defibrillators to help prevent people across the dale from suffering the same fate.

Earlier this month, the pair visited Thornley, near Tow Law, to install their 20th defibrillator at the village hall.

"We were over the moon that a great number of residents came along to meet us and thank us for the placing the defib and cabinet in their community," Mrs Hutchinson said.

Village Hall Committee member Brian Southern added: “It’s a privilege that Thornley Village, at the foot of Weardale, now have the 20th Defib unit installed through the David Nelson Memorial Fund. We owe a huge debt of thanks and gratitude to David’s family and friends who have achieved this by fundraising so making it possible. The unit could make the difference in saving someone’s life in their time of need.”

The pair were also delighted to receive a cheque for £2,586 from Stuart Brown and Diane Garbutt, the proprietors of the Grey Bull, in Stanhope after they held a sponsored 13-mile walk in April.

Sponsorship was split between The David Nelson Memorial Fund, The Great North Air Ambulance and the MS Society.

A total of 78 walkers took part and £7,758 raised altogether.