PEOPLE from Ludlow are to get the chance to save a life.

The town has a number of heart start defibrillator machines, but these are no good unless people know how to use them.

Whilst the machines come with instructions it is much better if there is some training.

This would be especially important when people are under pressure in an emergency situation.

The Ludlow Defib4You group is offering two hours of free training.

People who have been trained but want to be able to attend are welcome to the session on Tuesday, March 19 at the Mascall Centre in the town between 3.30pm and 5.30pm.

The training will be provided by Bob Kinsley from the West Midlands Ambulance Service and Mark Delaney Hall from Teme Training.

Six new AEDs and DefibSafes for Ludlow are all now up and running thanks to the generous donation from The Ludlow Hospital League of Friends last February, including a portable AED for Ludlow Football Club.

The six sites in Ludlow are: Ludlow Assembly Rooms, Ludlow Homecare, Mascall Centre, Rockspring Community Centre, Tesco and Visions Homes, Tollgate Road.

“Thank you to all the sites for their support especially Tesco and Vision Homes both new additions last year,” said Penelope Bridstrup, secretary of the group.

Culmington also has an AED in the entrance of their Village Hall and play an important role in the scheme.”

The four original Cardiac Science AEDs have found new homes in well used buildings as Static or Satellite installations and are available for use when the buildings are open: Ludlow Junior School, The Church Inn, Ludlow Methodist Church and very recently The Parish Centre at St Peters Roman Catholic Church.

All the AEDs are registered with the West Midlands Ambulance Service - the Umbrella Organisation.

The heart start machines can be used to help people who have suffered a heart attack.

An electric current is applied by the machine in a bid to re-start the heart.

It is not a substitute for professional medical care but can provide a vital lifeline before an ambulance or trained paramedics arrive.

The machines are important in all circumstances but are especially valuable in isolated rural communities.

For an application form and to apply for a place at the training session contact: secretaryludlowdefib4you@btinternet.com or telephone 01584 876992 07747025798