ANDY Burnham demonstrated his life-saving skills and praised young people for campaigning to put such lessons on the timetable.

Mr Burnham was at Harrop Fold School where dozens of pupils were taught CPR skills to mark the national Restart a Heart Day — while young people at Westhoughton High School unveiled one of the first defibrillators in the area as part of their campaign to put life-saving lessons on the curriculum.

Greater Manchester Mayor, Mr Burnham said: "I have long argued that CPR should be on the curriculum.

“All young people should learn how to respond in an emergency situation during their school days. That’s why I want to support North West Ambulance Service and Greater Manchester Fire Service to take it into our schools.

“If you think back to your school days, the number of things you learn, but actually you don’t learn how to save a live. For me if there is one thing they should learn it should be that because it could happen to any of us at any time.

“Everyone should know what to do in those circumstances because with the best will in the world the ambulance service will never be able to get there immediately and it is that immediateness supporting people which makes the difference between life and death.

Mr Burnham said he wanted a change in law.

He explained: “Two things I think are essential, have a defibrillator in public places by law and all young people trained in how to use them, and if we do those two things we will be well on our way to becoming a heart-safe country.

Pupil Jack Slater, aged 13, said: “This is the first time I have been taught CPR and it should be done regularly in schools. We have a student voice here and I will be taking this back to the Student Council because it is so important because I now have the skills and confidence to do CPR.”

Faith Barnes, aged 12, added: “I learned this at primary school and I think it is so important for all young people to learn this skill because they could help save a a life.

Pupils at Westhoughton High School have been lobbying politicians to put CPR on the timetable.

Noah Summer, in Year Nine, said: “I supported ‘HeartBeats2020’ by petitioning in my local community. I thought this was important to bring down the death rates from cardiac arrests and now that we have a defibrillator for the community we can increase the chances of survival.”

Fellow pupil Ella Tinniswood added: “As part of the HeartBeats2020 campaign, I am very proud to have petitioned around Westhoughton to gain support. I would love to continue the campaign as we have already succeeded in getting a defibrillator that the public can use to save lives.”

Mr Burnham said resources to support a ‘curriculum for life’ was being explored at a Greater Manchester level to help schools. He added: “The young people of Greater Manchester are full of talent they just need and need to backed more by politicians of all colours

“I never fail to be impressed by the way young people in Greater Manchester campaign.”