THE mayor of Trowbridge has launched a life-saving defibrillator that has been installed and funded with help from the local community.

The defibrillator has been located on the crossing point of footpaths from Windsor Drive, Sandringham Road, Balmoral Road and Holyrood Close off Silver Street Lane in Trowbridge.

It was launched on Tuesday (December 19) by Trowbridge mayor Cllr Stephen Cooper, with help from the town crier Trevor Heeks.

Wiltshire Times: Photo: Trevor Porter 70444-00 Photo: Trevor Porter 70444-00 (Image: Trevor Porter)

Mark Stevens is one of the organisers who persuaded residents in their local community to contribute towards the £1,400 cost of the defibrillator.

He said: “We were having a dinner party one day and someone suggested the idea that we buy one and ask some of the neighbours to contribute. None of us are getting any younger.

"It is nice that the community has come together to support each other and hopefully we will never have to use it.”

Wiltshire Times: Trowbridge mayor Cllr Stephen Cooper, accompanied by Town Crier Trevor Heeks, launched a community-funded defibrillator on a footpath junction off Windsor Drive in Trowbridge, watched by members of the local community who helped to fund it.. Photo: Trevor Porter 70444-4Trowbridge mayor Cllr Stephen Cooper, accompanied by Town Crier Trevor Heeks, launched a community-funded defibrillator on a footpath junction off Windsor Drive in Trowbridge, watched by members of the local community who helped to fund it.. Photo: Trevor Porter 70444-4 (Image: Trevor Porter)

Mr Stevens received help from his wife Lin and two other couples, Ray and Carol Tibert and Mike Salmons and Julie Molloy, and around 80 other residents who chipped in funds to pay for it.

They raised the funds over three months and are now planning to arrange courses through St John’s Ambulance for those who wish to learn how to use the defibrillator.