DEVAUDEN'S campaign to install a defibrillator in an old phone box has been welcomed by a life-saving organisation.

Villagers have already raised £1,800 to buy the device, which will be used when a resident or visitor has suffered a cardiac arrest.

On dialling 999, the caller is given a code to gain access to the phone box and the audible defbrillator will explain the next steps.

The Welsh Ambulance Service is backing the campaign, started earlier this year by Devauden Community Council and the Hood Memorial Hall committee after a member learned of an identical project elsewhere.

Around 30 residents were taught how to use the device at an event in July.

Richard Lee, Head of Clinical Services at the Welsh Ambulance Service, said: "Once somebody suffers a cardiac arrest every minute counts. They need immediate CPR from those around them who will often be family members or passers-by. As well as good quality CPR the patient needs to be treated with a defibrillator.

"Defibrillators are carried on all Welsh Ambulance Service ambulances and rapid response cars but are also often found in public buildings such as train stations, churches, museums or shopping centres.

"After the patient has been defibrillated they will require the care of a paramedic to take them to the right hospital and provide the right treatment on the way.

"The Trust fully supports the efforts of villagers in Devauden."

The equipment will be installed in a phone box at the top of Wesley Way, one of three bought for £1 by the community council from BT.

Retired engineer and Devauden resident Fred Richards, 79, was asked to prepare it, as fundraisers are £600 away from the purchase stage.

He said: "It's a great idea. Everybody is stopping me saying I'm doing a good job, I'm pleased to help out."

An open day at Veddw Gardens in the village has been organised for August 3 to top up the total.

Created by Anne Wareham author of The Bad Tempered Gardener and her husband Charles Hawes, visitors can look around the site for £6.50, from 2pm to 5pm.

British Heart Foundation Cymru is working hard to train people in emergency life-saving support skills and to place many more life-saving defibrillators in locations across Wales.

Olympians Lynn Davies CBE and Jamie Baulch are due to pledge their support to the charity's 'No Time to Wait' appeal in Cardiff tomorrow today.

The defibrillator would give patients a chance of survival, especially if an ambulance's arrival is delayed. Campaigner Kevin McElroy said Devauden had been affected on occasions: "The goal is to put defbrillators into communities where ambulances can't get there on time. If we can improve the chances for cardiac arrest patients it will be a great thing."