A LIFE-SAVING defibrillator unit has now been installed at Eldwick Memorial Hall - thanks to the generosity of Bingley Airedale Rotary Club and villagers.

The group has worked with Eldwick Village Society to provide and install the defibrillator in the covered entrance to the hall on Otley Road.

Now fully operational, it will be managed and maintained by the West Yorkshire Ambulance Service. The emergency-only unit is accessed by a code provided when dialling 999 and contains full instructions for its use.

Gareth Ashton, president of the Rotary Club, said “We are delighted to have had the opportunity to work with the Village Society on this project. It has forged links with the local community and we will be working with them again later in the year.”

The unit has been funded by a Rotary District Grant with the full installation costs paid by community fundraising.

Should anyone need the defibrillator, the procedure is to dial 999 and the operator will give the location and the code for the unit.

Inside the secure box there is a case containing the machine which is used to treat the patient and will not "shock" a suspected heart attack victim if there is a heartbeat.

Sessions on how to use the machine will be held in Memorial Hall in the near future.