A VILLAGE school is appealing for help to raise money to buy a life-saving defibrillator machine for its community.

Pupils at St Matthew's Primary School in Saffron Drive, Allerton, need to raise £1,000 to buy the machine which will be kept in school but also available for local people to use in an emergency.

The children, their families and staff are being helped by retired Bradford Royal Infirmary nurse Sylvia Coleman who lives in the village. She is friends with many of the children's parents who live in Allerton and work at the hospital

A school disco and a picnic in the local park are just some of the money-making events being planned so far to reach the target.

Ms Coleman, 56, who was on duty at St Luke’s Hospital on May 11, 1985 - the day of the Valley Parade disaster, said the pupils were inspired to raise money for a defibrillator after having life-saving sessions in class.

Anyone interested in making a donation to the defibrillator appeal can contact the school directly in Saffron Drive on 01274 541737.