St Dennis defibrillator bought with Jo Yorke's inheritance

A heart defibrillator has been bought for the residents of a village in Cornwall, with money left to a family by their mother.

Jo Yorke, who moved to St Dennis from Aylesbury 12 years ago, died in April at the age of 94.

Her son, 70-year-old Peter Yorke, bought the life-saving equipment which is used for cardiac arrest victims.

The defibrillator will be sited at Gillets store in St Dennis and some residents will be trained to use it.

Mr Yorke said his mother had enjoyed helping the community when she was alive.

'Fitting tribute'

"Rather than splitting up her estate for what is our rather large family, we all quickly agreed this was something she would have approved of," Mr Yorke told BBC News.

"Mum became quite a philanthropist in the village and helped various organisations, so when she left us at the beginning of the year it seemed a good idea that what money was left in her account should benefit the village."

Mr Yorke said two residents had recently died of heart attacks in St Dennis - one of whom might possibly have been saved with a defibrillator.

The defibrillator cost £1,600 and training to NVQ (National Vocational Qualifications) level is being offered to residents.

"I'm 70, so I'd probably be more of a liability to train, so I'm happy just to keep on trying to raise funds for another one.

He said his family felt "very proud" of what they had done with his mother's bequest.

"They were all very close to her and see this as a fitting tribute," he added.