A Cockermouth vets will become the latest place to host a life-saving machine in West Cumbria.

Millcroft Veterinary Group raised cash to allow a secure defibrillator to be fitted to the outside of its Cockermouth surgery for the Times & Star Heart Start campaign.

Gillian Jackson, practice manager, said: "It's a really good thing for the community to have for peace of mind.

"It's a good central location and it's important to have them circulated in various places around the town so that they can be accessed as quickly as possible for people that really need them."

John Sedgwick, one of Millcroft's partners, added: "It's great to be able to offer the premises to host this because we want to be seen to be supporting the community in as many ways as we can, not just with their pets."

The money to buy the cabinet included a £300 donation from Millcroft, £42.30 in sponsorship from events raised through Millcroft, £192.57 in campaign donations and a £65.13 donation from Rotary.

Once the cabinet is in place, it will be supplied with one of 10 free defibrillators supplied by North West Ambulance Service.

The public-access defibrillator will then be available to anyone who needs it in an emergency, using an access code from the ambulance service.

Hannah Robinson, whose dad Andrew is a partner of the firm, helped to raise money for the vital equipment with a sponsored bike ride around Fitz Park in Keswick.

Sandra Mandale, of Simonscales Lane, raised £42.57 by holding a stall at a table top sale.

Kevin Walsh, of Rotary, said: “It’s great to see yet another public access defibrillator being made available in the community. Congratulations to Millcroft Vets for agreeing to host this site.”

Campaign donations which had been sent in for the planned site at Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team's base have been diverted due to the base being found to be unsuitable as a host venue.

There is a plan for the fire station next door to host a defibrillator.

The Times & Star is hoping to install 15 defibrillators across West Cumbria and is looking for more host sites and people can support the campaign through fund-raising.

Two defibrillators have already been installed through the campaign and two other venues have secured funding, but five of the free North West Ambulance Service defibrillators are still available.

For more information, call Sarah Moore on 01900 607631 or email sarah.moore@cnmedia.co.uk