A LIFE-SAVING device will be on hand at the Stourbridge Cricket Club later this month to assist anyone who goes into cardiac arrest.

The defibrillator, which cost nearly £1,000, will be placed at the venue on High Street, Amblecote, which is also home to Stourbridge Running Club.

Heartstart Bromsgrove and District, a voluntary group that provides free emergency first aid training throughout Dudley borough, approached the club to see if they would be interested in having a machine.

Co-ordinator Judy Hancox, said the group gave the club £600 towards the cost, which came from donations made a various first aid demonstrations.

The remaining cash was raised by members of the cricket club, the Dudley branch of The Cricket Society and the running club.

Cricket club chairman, Harilal Patel said: "I am really grateful that Judy approached us about this as safety is a priority for us. There was no resistance to my proposal that we should purchase a defibrillator for the club. We will all have a little training session so we know how to use it."

Anyone who is interested in learning how to use a defibrillator or emergency first aid, is invited to book a place on the Heartstart training session at Stourbridge Fire Station on February 12 at 7.30pm.

The volunteers will also attend meetings of community groups to deliver training on request.

Sessions are free, but organisers ask for a small donation.

To find out more or to book a place, contact Mrs Hancox on 01562 883832 or email judyandray@blueyonder.co.uk