RESIDENTS of a Hambleton village have pulled together to raise money for a community defibrillator to make sure help is always on hand.

Villagers in Holme on Swale, near Thirsk, held their first parish meeting in July and decided to club together to provide the equipment.

Chairman of Holme on Swale Parish Meeting Mike Wherrett said residents raised the £950 needed because it was felt the isolated nature of the village could put residents at risk if they were to have a heart attack.

He said: “It could potentially take some time for paramedics to arrive to an emergency so we thought it would be a good idea for the village to have its own defibrillator.

“Shirley Miller, a resident who is a paramedic and involved with the Heartstart specialist medical supply and training company, explained the implications of delay in starting the resuscitation process in the event of heart failure and it was decided to go ahead with the purchase.

“The machine and the environmentally controlled cabinet are very expensive but the money was quickly raised through subscription by the residents.”