A NEW piece of potentially life-saving equipment has been fitted to the outside of the village hall in Tockenham.

The new heart defibrillator can be accessed by the public during an emergency after being funded by Persimmon Homes, social services and the parish council.

The parish council is now planning to educate villages on what steps should be taken if somebody suffers a cardiac arrest.

Michelle Wallace, of Tockenham, said: “We are delighted that our community now has access to a defibrillator. I would like to thank Persimmon Homes, social services and the parish council for all their help and support in raising vital funds for this piece of life saving equipment."

Persimmon Homes donated £800 towards the cost of the defibrillator through the builder’s Community Champions scheme, a national programme where good causes can apply for funding to match money they have already raised themselves.

Pauline Fletcher, sales and marketing director for Persimmon Homes Wessex, said the scheme was a way of supporting people where the company builds new homes.

“We are delighted to grant the wish of Tockenham villagers and provide them with the funds to buy a defibrillator," she said.