SCORES of Devizes children learnt a lesson that could save lives as part of the national initiative Restart a Heart Day on Tuesday.

Children from Year 7 at Devizes School took part in the sessions organised by head of PE and health Ali Lund.

He said: "We thought this was a great event and ideal opportunity to get our students and staff familiar with CPR. The British Heart Foundation kindly supplied us with 35 manikins and step by step DVDs that show students how to perform CPR and how to place someone in the recovery position.

"A very worthwhile exercise that might one day save a person's life."

For the first time this year Restart a Heart Day has been rolled out across ambulance trusts nationally ensuring that more than 100,000 youngsters learnt the vital skill in one day.

More than 30,000 people suffer cardiac arrests outside of hospital in the UK every year. If this happens in front of a bystander who starts CPR immediately before the arrival of the ambulance, the patient's chances of survival double.

The widow of Welsh rugby international Danny Jones has become an ambassador for Restart a Heart Day. Lizzie Jones has been working to get defibrillators for rugby and sport clubs and the promotion of CPR training for schoolchildren.

Her husband died aged 29 after suffering a cardiac arrest during a match in May, 2015.

On Tuesday she helped with CPR training and spoke to youngsters about her experience of why the training is vital in her native Yorkshire. I am thrilled to be associated with another valuable project which means Danny's death will not have been in vain.

She said: "I am thrilled to be associated with another valuable project which means Danny's death will not have been in vain."