I read with great interest your article on the new defibrillators that have been pledged to Pewsey.

Early defribrillation is vital in the treatment of some cardiac arrests, as is effective cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The work being done by the parish council and Mr Lihoe is to be welcomed in making these life-saving devices more widely available in our village.

I would, however, wish to correct one point in your article that is incorrect.

You note that the importance of installing the defribrillators is due to the lack of first responders in the village.

I would like to point out that there are currently three fully active community rirst responders living in and covering the Pewsey area. This is very shortly to increase to five members (if this has not already happened), and I understand early in the New Year there will be seven available to cover the Pewsey area.

Community first responders (CFRs) are a vital part of our emergency care services, able to provide the essential care and treatment for a patient in those first minutes following an emergency.

CFRs are volunteers who respond from their home addresses or places of work to patients with immediately life-threatening medical emergencies. They are not an alternative to an ambulance.

CFRs provide life-saving care to patients, often in rural areas, while the professional ambulance crew is on the way. We are trained in the use of defibrillators and oxygen therapy and I have responded to over 30 incidents since moving to Pewsey in February.

I trust that you do not mind me correcting the details within your article, which as I have said, is great news for the village.

Andy Stride, Bailey Close, Pewsey.