CAMPAIGNERS have won a three-year-long battle to have a life-saving machine installed at Darwen Health Centre.

The mobile electrocardiogram unit, which can help monitor heart problems, was presented to staff at Darwen Health Centre in a bid to make full use of it.

Irene Wickers, of Cyprus Street, Darwen, was devastated when her son Neil, 31, died from an undetected heart condition in August 1996 after he collapsed at the Albion Mill gym, in Ewood, Blackburn. Granville Staff, of Carus Avenue, Hoddlesden, also suffered a tragedy when his son David Staff, 17, died after collapsing near the end of the 10k Darwen Dashers Road Race in 1994.

Both men were victims of undetected heart problems.

Irene and Granville set up the Neil Wickers and David Staff Memorial Fund as a tribute to their children and managed to raise the £8,000 to buy the equipment.

But it was underused until the health centre agreed to take it and provide a better service for local people.

Seven staff at Darwen Health Centre are to be trained in the use of this machine. Now patients will have free access to the equipment, which can test for up to 90 per cent of heart conditions that kill young people, on recommendation from GPs.