A new life-saving defibrillator has been installed at North Bradley Baptist Church near Trowbridge but officials are hoping it will never be used.

The people who donated money to buy the £2,000 defibrillator and a cabinet to house it wish to remain anonymous.

The device is generally used only in emergencies when someone needs to have their heart restarted and is available to the whole community.

Its launch was celebrated by Baptist Church pastor Matt Neale, the Pastor and Kevin Smith, first aider and village resident.

Baptist Church Deacon John Reid said: “We have an elderly congregation and the population of the village is mainly elderly. We hope it is never used but it is there if needed.”

Defibrillators are devices that apply an electric charge or current to the heart to restore a normal heartbeat.

If the heart rhythm stops due to cardiac arrest, also known as sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), a defibrillator may help it start beating again.

A sudden cardiac arrest is fatal unless treated right away with CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and a defibrillator.

Some implantable or wearable defibrillators can also correct certain dangerous arrhythmias, which are problems with the rate or rhythm of your heartbeat.