PEOPLE using Thatcham town centre for shopping and leisure can be reassured that new lifesaving equipment has been installed in the town centre.

Automated external defibrillators (AED) can be used by anyone – with no training needed – to shock a person’s heart back into normal rhythm if they suffer a sudden cardiac arrest.

They increase the chance of someone surviving from nine per cent to 50 per cent when compared to the use of CPR alone.

The equipment was installed after a year of fundraising by various local charities.

The new AED, which cost £2,500, has more than a two year life span ...