A vital life-saving device has been installed in Helsby Tesco, thanks to a local community group and the village’s borough councillor.

The defibrillator was joint-funded by the Helsby & Frodsham Lions and Cllr Les Ford , bringing the number of devices in Helsby to four.

Other defibrillators – which are used to shock people in cardiac arrest, ideally within eight minutes – are located at Helsby Hillside Primary School , Helsby High School , Helsby Hornsmill Primary School and Helsby Tesco.

Cllr Ford said: “Getting the right medical treatment quickly following a cardiac arrest is vital and so I was delighted to be able to help ensure that a defibrillator was fitted in such a public place.

“The importance of knowing how to react and respond to a cardiac arrest is also crucial, with the early minutes being so vital, and that is when the quick response of trained people and defibrillators are critical to survival.”

The Helsby & Frodsham Lions is part of Lions Clubs International, an international service organisation which fundraises to support needs locally, nationally and internationally.

In the last year, it has supported causes such as Helsby Pre-School with their Fundraising Appeal and the Hospice of the Good Shepherd.

Helsby & Frodsham Lions’ member Margaret Marsh, who contacted Cllr Ford for help in funding the project, said: “We felt that there was need for a defibrillator in a location that would serve the community and be available to more local residents than just within school hours and Tesco filled that bill. We just hope that no-one needs to use it.”

Heart Start courses, where people can learn how to use defibrillators, are open to anyone.

If you are interested in undergoing training, contact Sarah Dobbins on 01606 275868 or ruralcommunities@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk.