PEOPLE in All Cannings are to be trained in how to use a new defibrillator machine that could save lives in the village.

Graham Bird from All Cannings Community First Responders is delighted that the village now has its own machine fixed to the outside of the village hall thanks to donations from the parish council and Concert At The Kings and other groups.

He said: "The defibrillator could make the difference between life and death if someone has a heart attack. We are training groups on how to use it. We are grateful for the donations that have made it possible.

The defibrillator, which cost around £800, was officially launched at a ceremony in the village on Saturday morning attended by first responders, the parish council, village hall committee and Richard Baulu landlord of the Kings Arms.

This year's will be the fourth Concert at the Kings which is held in a field at the back of the pub and raises money for cancer charities and local good causes.

The festival on May 30 will be headlined by Squeeze and Lindisfarne.

The All Cannings First Responders were launched in 2006 and come under the South West Ambulance Service. A spokesman said: "We are extremely grateful to the many responders who volunteer to help members of their local community in their time of need.

"Every day responders from across the south west attend emergencies within their local communities. Sometimes the difference is providing reassurance prior to the arrival of an ambulance, sometimes it is saving someone's life.

"Community First Responders are volunteers who support their local community by attending emergency calls ahead of an ambulance."