THE vision of the Friends of Upton Primary School has come to fruition, with the school now home to a defibrillator.

The group put the idea forward and the life-saving machine has been unveiled on the grounds of the school, and is now available for public use.

Julie Wills, headteacher of the school, said: "I am delighted we have been given the opportunity of having such a vital piece of life saving equipment based at our school, which is available to the wider community.

"In cases of cardiac arrest, early defibrillation can make a huge difference to the outcome so to have this piece of equipment available in the heart of the community for use by all is very beneficial."

The machine was donated by West Midlands Ambulance Service at a cost of around £1,000, and the school's staff are being trained in its use.

Noel Orbell, West Midlands Ambulance Service community response manager, said: "A cardiac arrest can happen to anyone of any age. Therefore, the more of these devices we can get into communities and public places, the better.

"And that includes primary schools.

"For every minute that someone is in cardiac arrest, their chance of dying increases by ten per cent. While an ambulance is on the way, the quicker someone can start CPR and use the defibrillator, the greater the chance of survival."

There are a number of defibrillators in the town already, with one at The Anchor pub and two at the base of Mercia Inshore Search and Rescue.