POTENTIALLY life-saving support is now just around the corner in the Parish of Melksham Without after the installation of seven new community defibrillators by the parish council.

The defibrillators can be found at The Pilot Pub in Bowerhill, The New Inn in Berryfield, The Water Meadow pub in Verbena Court, Shaw Village Hall, Whitley Reading Rooms, the sports pavilion and St Barnabas Church in Beanacre.

Residents, community groups and businesses in the area contributed to the project, which cost a total of around £18,000 and will allow people suffering from a heart attack to receive medical assistance before paramedics arrive at the scene.

Stelram Limited, who recently closed their business, have since donated an eighth defibrillator for the use of residents, which is going to be installed in Bowerhill village hall.

Alan Weymouth, secretary of the Friends of Melksham Hospital, said: “In 2011 local First Responder Mel Scott approached the Hospital Friends to see if they would be prepared to support her project to set up a community defibrillator scheme across the Melksham area.

“The Friends were so impressed with Mel's drive and enthusiasm, and would like to take this opportunity to record their acknowledgement of her contribution in dreaming up this scheme, driving it along, and making it work and thus helping Melksham become a safer place.

“Having since contributed a number of defibrillators and providing appropriate training where necessary, we are delighted on this occasion to be able to assist Melksham Without Parish Council spread these potentially lifesaving pieces of equipment out into our surrounding villages.”

The area board contributed £3,212.50 to the project, Friends of Melksham Hospital raised £5,760 and Bowerhill resident Chris Hardy collected £1,366 from Bowerhill businesses and residents.

Melksham Without Parish Council contributed £7,661 and will continue the ongoing maintenance of the units.

If you see that a defibrillator has been tampered with, or a red rather than green light is showing, call Melksham Without Parish Council on 01225 705700.