THREE village pubs are well equipped with lifesaving equipment should anyone have heart problems.

The Royal Oak in Stoke St Gregory, the Bird in Hand in North Curry and the Bell Inn in Creech St Michael have all received defibrillators from St John Ambulance.

Funding for the equipment came from Cllr David Fothergill, who also hopes to run first-aid sessions to give people experience of using them in an emergency.

Mr Fothergill said: “My division is very rural so it can take time for emergency services to reach people.

“Having the equipment available could be the difference between life and death.”

The first-aid sessions are at Williams Hall, Stoke St Gregory, tomorrow (Friday) from 7.15pm to 8.15pm; Creech St Michael village hall on Friday, October 12, from 5pm to 8pm; and North Curry village hall on Saturday, October 13, from 2.45pm to 3.45pm.

The Greyhound in Staple Fitzpaine and the King Alfred in Burrowbridge have also received the defibrillators.