A free training event was held recently at Meldon Village Hall on using the new public access defibrillator recently installed outside the village hall.

Pictured right are representatives of Okehampton Hamlets Parish Council, the village hall management committee, Richard Oaten from the South West Ambulance Trust and members of the community.

The session on Saturday, August 3 was run by the South West Ambulance Trust, who demonstrated how to use the machine and perform CPR on a patient.

The parish council agreed to fund the defibrillator at the request of the village hall management committee who felt one was needed in the area.

It allows emergency treatment to restart the heart to be given while waiting for an ambulance to arrive.

Further training sessions will be held on an annual basis at Meldon Village Hall and will be free to attend for any member of the community.