LIFE saving equipment has been installed in Mary Tavy for the community to use in a case of emergency.

A public access defibrillator has been installed on the outside of the Mary Tavy Post Office and Stores so that emergency treatment can be given to someone in the event of a cardiac arrest. No training is needed to use the defibrillator as it gives voice commands on how to use it.

Mary Tavy Parish Council instigated the initiative and funding was awarded from the Town and Parishes (TAP) fund.

Mary Tavy parish clerk Kerri Higham said: ‘It is the first defibrillator we have in Mary Tavy. There was a lot of back and forth about which one to get but we decided on this one as no training is needed at all to use it.

‘It has a built-in system that speaks to you and tells you what to do so anybody can use it as long as they can hear the commands.

‘The grant of £1,249 from the TAP fund was given in March and we didn’t waste any time. It was fitted by a local resident electrician at the end of April.

‘We’re hoping nobody needs to use it but we live on a main road and accidents do happen so it will be there if it is needed.’

The driving force behind the scheme to install a defibrillator in the village was the initiative to create a Devon Air Ambulance night landing site in the recreation field opposite the shop.

The parish council has applied to the Dartmoor National Park Authority for planning permission for the night landing site and is waiting to hear the decision.