LIFE-SAVING equipment has been installed at a public building in Thirsk as part of the local Community First Responders scheme.

A public access defibrillator has been placed at the Parochial Hall and compliments a CPR training kit awarded to the Responders by the British Heart Foundation.

The innovative kit includes everything needed to learn CPR in half an hour and the Thirsk Responders plan to run training sessions in the town.

Alison Gray, coordinator, said: “We are delighted to help fund this lifesaving package.

“The defibrillator will be placed on the outside of Parochial Hall meaning that local people have the best chance of survival should they suffer a cardiac arrest. “Our thanks go to Steven Dresser and his team for installing the defibrillator and to the committee at Parochial Hall for allowing us to install one to the side of their building. We’re keen to get as many people as possible trained in CPR too.

“We’re now working to raise money for further defibs to be placed around our community.”

The portable defibrillator can be used to help restart the heart after a cardiac arrest.