Defibrillator training offered at Plough Inn on Saturday

Lifesaving training is being offered this weekend following the installation of Forfar’s first public access defibrillator.

A joint initiative involving Forfar Community Council, the town’s Rotary Club and Angus Alive has seen the vital piece of equipment put in place at the Buttermarket, in the centre of town.

While a number of other defibrillators are available in the town, not all are accessible round the clock, and those behind the latest project hope locals will be keen to learn how to use the lifesaving equipment.

Forfar Community Council chairman said the defibrillator is the first of five which will be positioned around Forfar.

The Buttermarket cabinet has a code logged by the Scottish Ambulance Service and when a 999 call is made and the location given the code will be issued to the caller.

Mr Whyte said: “I produced a list of defibrillators, but what became obvious was that if you have a heart attack after 5pm there was, at best, very limited access to around 30 in Forfar.

“I realised public access defibs were the way forward and five well-placed 24-hour machines would be much better than 25 machines locked in office buildings.

“AngusAlive supplied the defibrillator, transferred from The Meffan, Forfar Rotary purchased the outdoor heated cabinet, Angus Council sited, fitted and supplied power and the community council are custodians of the machine, being responsible for monthly battery checks,” added Mr Whyte.

A training session for members of the public has been arranged to take place at the Plough Inn from 9am to noon this Saturday.