THE Chase School in Malvern now has its own defibrillator and will be offering training in its use.

The lifesaving device has been installed on an outside wall at the school by charity Heartstart Malvern, thanks to support from customers at the nearby Morgan pub.

Now staff and the school's parent-teacher association are co-ordinating a programme with Heartstart Malvern to provide training in resuscitation and defibrillator use.

Heartstart chairman Richard Vakis-Lowe said: “The generous funding from the Morgan has been the catalyst for a great deal of local support.

"This is a great project that engages not just the community of the school, but the community in which the school sits. It is wonderful to have the commitment of the PTA in addition to the school’s management team which reinforces the message to our target audiences.

"Timetabling training around school and work commitments is never easy, so when partners come together in a community like this to support a programme of activity – our work is made easy. We are immensely grateful for their commitment to this project."

Chase head Mike Fieldhouse said: “We are delighted to be able to support Heartstart Malvern; this partnership really sets the Chase as a hub at the heart of our local community. A huge thanks must also go to the Friends of the Chase who are working with us to support a programme of much needed training for our neighbourhood, including our staff, students and parents.”