THE FIRST public defibrillator to be available around-the-clock in Bicester town centre has been installed at the Methodist Church.

Volunteers at the church has been working hard on a local campaign, launched last summer, to ensure more of the life-saving machines are available to the public.

The hope is to never have anyone more than eight minutes from a defibrillator and thanks to the church the town centre is well on its way to achieving this.

Mike Black, who is organising the campaign, said: "The installation of the defib at the Methodist Church is only a start.

"If a person suffers a cardiac arrest, they require CPR immediately and a defibrillator within eight minutes to stand even a relatively small chance of survival which is why they need to be placed around the town.

"This needs individuals and businesses to donate the necessary funds, and landlords and businesses to be prepared to site them outside their premises."

The local campaign received a well-earned boost back in March when an anonymous couple donated £10,000 towards the target of getting 15 defibrillators in phase one of the campaign.

So far this surprise windfall and local fundraising has helped pull together enough funds to buy five public defibrillators to be spread about the town centre.

The first machine to be installed in the town centre now sits on the side of Bicester Methodist Church and is available for anyone to use in case of an emergency.

If you would like to donate towards the defibrillator appeal contact Bicester Methodist Church on 01869 323030 or visit in Bell Lane, Bicester, OX26 6JQ