HEART attack victims in Padiham will soon have an increased chance of survival after the town council bought life-saving medical equipment.

Councillors gave unanimous backing to donate £2,805 from the reserve fund to buy a defibrillator for the town.

The machine, which gives a shock to help regulate the heart, will be given to the Lancashire Heart Appeal for use in their First Responder Scheme, which is manned by volunteers.

The scheme was launched in Padiham last October and aims to assist emergency services by attending incidents within eight minutes to administer treatment.

At the meeting the Mayor of Padiham, Mark Jinkinson, gave his full backing to the scheme which hopes to raise money to buy another two of the machines.

He said: "If we have the resources, it is an exemplary cause. It is going to benefit the community, and is literally a life saver and I support it fully."

It is believed the defibrillator will come into service in the next few weeks.