NEW lifesaving equipment has been installed in Gornal thanks to the hard work of local residents.

Local community group Gornal Together have worked to raise donations to install a defibrillator on the outside wall of of the Zoar Methodist Church Centre.

Gornal Together were able to buy the equipment thanks to generous donations from Gornal residents and intu Merry Hill.

Christine Bate, Gornal Together secretary said: "As a committee, we are delighted to be able to provide this equipment and we are most grateful to all those who have contributed to its installation."

The device is activated by calling 999 and following the instructions and delivers an electrical charge to the heart of someone suffering a cardiac arrest.

Up to seven out of ten people who suffer a cardiac arrest could survive if they have access to a defibrillator within the first five minutes of their attack, according to Christine.