EQUIPMENT to save lives has been installed in Coalsnaughton for public access, with training to follow in August.

Tillicoultry, Coalsnaughton and Devonside Community Council have secured an automated external defibrillator (AED) for the village, the second such device put up by the organisation.

The unit is located on the walls of Premier Express on Main Street and can be called into action if a person suffers a cardiac arrest emergency nearby.

When someone goes unconscious and stops breathing, people should call 999 immediately and will be told where the device can be located as well as given a code to the cabinet to retrieve it.

Once switched on the device gives instructions on how it should be used and CPR must commence immediately to keep the casualty's oxygen flowing.

The community council was keen to secure a second device, following the installation of one on Tillicoultry's High Street last year.

Leading the project from the community council was Ian Millar, who said: "If a defibrillator is used and effective CPR is performed within three to five minutes of cardiac arrest, their chance of survival increases from six per cent to 74 per cent."

The AED was made possible thanks to funding from the EDF Burnfoot Hill Community Fund, administered by Foundation Scotland, and thanks was given to the shop owners for hosting it.

A call to a cardiac arrest is of the highest priority for the Scottish Ambulance Service, which aims to be at the scene within eight minutes.

With that in mind, a second AED on the community council's patch was necessary.

Ian said: "An AED needs to be made available as quickly as possible.

"Coalsnaughton is too far away from the AED we have in place in Tillicoultry so it was decided that the community council would apply for funding to place an AED in Coalsnaughton."

Anyone looking to learn how to administer CPR and use the defibrillator, or those hoping to freshen their existing knowledge, can head along to Tilly's Centenary Hall on Sunday, August 18, between 2pm and 4pm for a training event, as part of Tillicoultry Community Week.

Visitors can drop in at any time, with no need to book. However, all children must be accompanied by an adult.