THREE lifesaving defibrillators are now available in community venues across West Bank in Widnes.

The equipment has been funded by Halton Council's Appleton, Kingsway and Riverside Area Forum.

A defibrillator is a machine that delivers an electric shock to the heart when someone is having a cardiac arrest.

They have been placed at Catayst Science Discovery Centre, St Mary's Community Centre and the Catch 22 Cafe in Spike Island.

Riverside councillors Pamela Wallace and Stan Hill met staff and volunteers at all three venues to discuss the importance of having these specialist machines.

They watched youth workers and young people demonstrate how to use a defibrillator.

Sudden cardiac arrest is the leading cause of unexpected death all over the world.

Survival can improve dramatically if victims are given defibrillation.

Funding also allowed the youth group to get the cafe kitchen plastered and painted to comply with environmental health regulations and put a door and ramp into the garden.