PRUDHOE town centre has been made safer with a new heart-starting device.

A public access defibrillator has been installed on the exterior wall of the Spetchells Centre on Front Street.

The £2,000 defibrillator was funded through county councillor Eileen Burt’s small member’s scheme allowance.

A defibrillator is already in place at Prudhoe Riverside Country Park.

But at the town council’s budget meeting earlier this year, Coun. Bryan Futers voiced his concern at the lack of a device in the town centre.

He said he was thrilled that the issue was able to be addressed so swiftly.

Coun. Futers said:”This is something that is important to me.

“The town centre is a long, straight road running east to west.

“To get to the riverside and back in an emergency, it just won’t happen.

“I’m over the moon that there was money left over from Eileen’s allowance to bring this forward.”

Money had already been allocated for a public access defibrillator in this year’s budget.

So plans are now in motion to install a third defibrillator in the town.

Coun. Burt said: “Everyone supported Coun. Futers’ idea and we decided to go for one this year. It is a live-saving device.”

A joint effort between Prudhoe Town Council and Prudhoe Community Partnership saw the public access defibrillator installed at the Spetchells Centre.

Mayor of Prudhoe, Coun. Jennifer McGee, said: “There have been a few incidents in Prudhoe where people have taken really unwell.

“If something happens, we need to be prepared for anything.

“We’re grateful to Coun. Futers for raising the issue with the town council.”