A LIFE saving initiative at the heart of mid Cheshire has won gold for its work.

The Cheshire West Heartstart Defibrillator scheme has been awarded the Cardiac Smart Gold Award by the Northwest Ambulance Service (NWAS).

These awards are designed to recognise and reward community resuscitation initiatives across the north west.

Residents, councillors, schools, community groups and agencies have been involved in the joint venture with the aim of providing basic life support skills to people and locating defibrillators across the area.

The fully automated portable defibrillators are easy and safe to use and will only shock someone if they require it.

So far more than 50 defibrillators have been bought across west Cheshire and are located in publicly accessible premises that are open for long periods of time.

One of the defibrillators has been successfully used at Moss Farm Leisure Complex and helped to save the life of a young man who had a cardiac arrest whilst watching a football match.

Clr Brenda Dowding, Cheshire West and Chester Council’s executive member for adult social care and health, said: “This scheme has the potential to save many lives and it is wonderful to see our residents, local councillors and groups leading the way in enabling such a valuable project to take place in their area.”

NWAS supports the scheme and will be aware of all the defibrillator locations, so in an emergency when someone dials 999, they will be directed to the nearest defibrillator.

Anyone interested in becoming an instructor or undergoing Heart Start training should contact Mark Simmons on 01606 288843 or email mark.simmons@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk