A life-saving piece of equipment has been installed outside a golf club following a year-long fundraising campaign.

Members of Tydd St Giles Golf Club raised £2,100 to pay for a defibrillator for the village, which is located in a yellow steel cabinet on the outside wall on the front of the clubhouse.

The crucial piece of equipment, which can make the difference between life and death in the case of a sudden cardiac arrest, can be accessed by anyone in need 24 hours a day.

Last year’s ladies captain Sue Racey said: “The mens and seniors captains thought it was a good idea and they decided to join the ladies in raising money for the equipment.

“We have now purchased a Phillips FRX AED and a heated weatherproof cabinet to store the defibrillator (AED) in.

“As a rural community in the event of a sudden cardiac arrest although the emergency services respond quickly, the use of the AED in the time before the emergency services arrive could potentially save lives as time is critical.

“We have purchased additional items to allow the machine to be used on children as well.

“The machine we have purchased is automated and will tell the user what they need to do in terms of CPR and delivering a shock as it guides the user through what they need to do and can be used by anyone with no training at all.”

Mrs Racey has urged members of the community to come along to two training sessions for how to use defibrillators which will take place at the club on November 23.

The sessions have been made possible by a £600 grant from the Grange Wind Farm Community Fund.

She said: “Understandably some people were worried about using the machine as they did not know what was involved and did not want to do the wrong thing which is quite natural if you don’t know about them.

“I work in a hospital so we receive basic training on their use.

“We want to encourage anyone involved in the community - sports clubs, community events at the village hall, the school or anyone in the village that would like training to come forward and complete an application form to book a place on one of the sessions.”

There will be one session in the morning and one in the afternoon. Both sessions, which will last three hours, are free with 12 spaces available.