INSTRUCTORS in life support techniques at a top security jail are passing on the benefits of their expertise outside the prison walls.

Staff at Frankland Prison, County Durham, are the main backers of Heartstart Chester-le-Street, a new scheme which aims to give basic life-saving advice to as many people as possible.

It was launched this week with an introductory session for "pupils" at Dubmire British Legion Club, at Fence Houses, near Chester-le-Street.

The scheme, supported and part-funded by the British Heart Foundation, is a follow-on from a similar "in-house" project run at the jail, at Brasside, near Durham.

Under the guidance of training co-ordinator Paul Brandes and fellow prison officer Tony Brewis, 747 people have benefited from Heartstart since it launched at Frankland three-and-a-half years ago.

The recipients include fellow staff and their families, inmates, as well as members of external organisations and local schools.

Each has been given a basic three-hour course in emergency life support techniques.

Mr Brandes said: "In the first year of the Heartstart scheme at Frankland, at least three staff used their new life-saving skills on members of their families, including one male officer who used his skills on his unconscious three-year-old daughter within days of undertaking the training.

"I'm pleased that staff from Frankland who have supported me are now passing on their expertise to benefit our community."

Last night's session was also a chance to thank the British Heart Foundation for a donation, which enabled Frankland to buy its third automatic external defibrillator.