Heart attack survivor, 80, buys defibrillator

Mr Wood bought the equipment through an air ambulance charity scheme

A man from Somerset has paid for a defibrillator for his neighbourhood after discovering a lack of them in the area.

Dennis Wood, 80, from Burnham-on-Sea, had a heart attack in 2016 and wanted to see where his nearest machine was just in case.

He said: "I just thought why not get ahead and purchase a defibrillator? Everyone was so thankful in our street.

"I have a weaker heart than most so I thought, the more defibs in the area, the merrier I suppose - they save lives."

Mr Wood bought the defibrillator through the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance's Life Support initiative.

Rosie Cornelilus-Light, who coordinates the Life Support project, said: "Our crew can be anywhere within Dorset and Somerset in approximately 20 minutes.

"But the care a patient receives before we arrive can play a vital role in saving their life.

"By placing a defibrillator in his community, Dennis has made a meaningful difference to those around him."

Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance said around a quarter of the calls it attends are cardiac arrests with defibrillators being a "vital" tool in preventing loss of life.