PUPILS and staff have led a successful fundraising drive to buy life-saving equipment for their school and local area.

The pupils at Thirsk Community Primary held several events including cakes sales and coffee mornings.

Donations were made by the Friends of Thirsk School PTA and other local groups as well as a number of local businesses.

The final donation for £800 came from the Yorkshire Ambulance Service Charitable Fund bringing the total raised to £1,980 to buy a public access defibrillator for the area around the school.

A free training session provided by Thirsk Community First Responders will be held on May 3 at 6pm in the school hall and those interested in attending a training session should contact the school office for more information.

Headteacher Richard Chandler said: “’To raise this amount of money has been a fantastic team effort by the children, parents and our local community. We sincerely hope that the installation of this defibrillator will help someone in their time of need.”