THE Galleries is the latest North-East shopping centre to be equipped with electrical heart-start machines.

Staff at the Washington centre have been working on the Heartstart project for nearly a year, alongside the British Heart Foundation, Sunderland City Hospital and North-East Ambulance Service.

Now the three defibrillators, which use an electrical impulse to shock the heart back into a normal rhythm, are in place and 12 of the centre staff are fully trained to use the machines.

As well as a first-aid course, the staff had to undergo training with John Duffy, from the North-East Ambulance Service.

"The defibrillator training at the Galleries was very successful," said Mr Duffy.

"The staff are extremely enthusiastic, which made the training much easier and very enjoyable," he said.

If anyone falls ill or suffers a cardiac arrest, the staff are trained in how to use a defibrillator, which can greatly increase the chance of patient survival.

Susan Pinder, from the Heartstart project, said: "The 12 trained staff are now in a position to be able to help save someone's life. If the equipment is used within two minutes of a heart attack there is an 80 per cent chance of survival.

"Having three placed around the centre is a very positive move."

The defibrillators cost the Galleries more than £2,500, assisted by a 50 per cent grant from the British Heart Foundation.

Les Pickering, centre manager, said: "The investment has been made by the Galleries to ensure that our customers receive the best possible care while on our premises. This is a small but important part of our ongoing long-term customer care plan."