Plans for defibrillators in Kington have moved forward, a year after a local death

The town council gave the clerk authority to spend up to £3,700 to replace the equipment at the Market Hall which stopped working about a month ago.

Town clerk Liz Kelso told members at a recent meeting that someone had looked at it and it too old to be repaired and so it needs to be replaced.

She said she had been offered a completely new defibrillator for £900, when the average price is £1,500. She said she would try and get it at the price quoted, although that was several weeks ago.

Mrs Kelso said the council had also talked about having a defibrillator at the Masonic Hall in the Headbrook area of Kington and she said she was quoted £500 for a refurbished defibrillator.

But she said they would need to buy a cabinet for it which would be about £600 and installation at a cost of about £100.

Councillor Nicki Cornish asked for the equipment at that end of town after her friend and neighbour had a sudden heart attack and passed away despite efforts to save their life. She said that incident was now a year ago.

Kington Mayor Councillor Phillip Sell said the Masonic Hall had said they could contribute towards the cost but that would need to be checked on again.

Members agreed to give Mrs Kelso the authority to spend upto £3,700 to replace the Market Hall defibrillator and ask about one for the Masonic Hall and if they could help with the cost.

Councillor Sell said: “Its money well spent if it saves just one person.”