PARISH councillors have hailed the installation of a defibrillator in a red telephone kiosk in a village near York.

The equipment, which could help save the life of anyone suffering a heart attack in Naburn, is located to the right of the car park of the Blacksmith’s Arms on Main Street.

“The defibrillator is fully automated with video instruction and requires no training for the user, however, it can only be accessed following a 999 emergency call to the ambulance service who will provide the access code if they determine that the patient is in need and there is someone available to retrieve it,” said Cllr Suzie Mercer.

“The parish council is also hoping to set up a Village Emergency Telephone System (VETS) to provide additional support for villagers living alone or for couples where a third person would be needed to access the defibrillator.

“There will be a village awareness session for anyone interested in learning more about the equipment and VETS with dates yet to be confirmed.

“Naburn Parish Council offer their sincere thanks to the children of Naburn C of E School who raised £730 through fund raising events and collection tins at the Blacksmith’s Arms and Naburn Marina."

Cllr Mercer approved a Wheldrake Ward Funding Grant of £1,270 to make up the additional cost of installing the defibrillator in the village telephone kiosk.

“It may save a life one day and we are very pleased to have it as a valuable resource in our village," she added.

Naburn is just the latest in a series of villages in the York area to have a defibrillator installed for public use, in a drive to reduce the number of people who die after suffering from a cardiac arrest and before paramedics can get to the scene.