A VILLAGE near Bewdley has more peace of mind after raising £1,700 for life-saving kit to be used if someone has a heart attack.

Volunteers at Rock Sports Pavilion in Far Forest have linked up to the Community Public Access Defibrillator (CPAD) scheme run by West Midlands Ambulance Service.

The scheme has provided them with a defibrillator, which is now housed in an external cabinet at the sports club.

Members of the clubs using the pavilion and local residents have attended a training session in basic life support and use of the device.

Spokesman for the pavilion Dean Evans said: "A defibrillator is a life-saving machine that gives the heart an electric shock in some cases of cardiac arrest.

"For every minute that passes without defibrillation, chances of survival decrease by 14 per cent.

"Research shows that applying a controlled shock within five minutes of collapse provides the best possible chance of survival."

He added that action by bystanders in the event of a heart attack could make the difference between life and death - and there are around 60,000 cardiac arrests outside of hospitals in the UK each year.

The pavilion is host to several local voluntary groups, including the Far Forest Society, Rock Sports Football Club and the Far Forest Tennis Club, all of which have contributed towards the funding of the defibrillator.

Rock Parish Council also donated towards it.

The equipment is available not only to those using the facilities but also to local residents.

Rescuers calling 999 in the event of a possible cardiac arrest will be given the location of the box and the code to access the defibrillator.