Defib machine at heart of the community

A pub landlady is to help safeguard local health in an emergency - by keeping a heart defibrillator in the bar!

Christine Taylor plans to buy one of the life-saving machines for the Church Inn, Uppermill, ahead of major sewage works that will cause major traffic disruption for months from June.

And the concerned mother of four believes traffic detours — some several miles long on twisting country lanes — could hamper emergency services: “I want to ensure the whole community has access to a defibrillator if needed,” she said. “I hope the arrival of our defibrillator will offer reassurance and a vital life-saving facility should it be needed.”

The North West Ambulance Service is planning to make Saddleworth a pilot area for the installation of defibrillators at key village locations.