A SUPERMARKET in Kidderminster has had potentially lifesaving equipment installed.

ASDA's stores in Worcestershire and Herefordshire have been fitted with defibrillators, in conjunction with the British Heart Foundation. A defibrillator is a device that could restart the heart of someone who suffers a cardiac arrest.

Staff at the Kidderminster outlet have been trained in its use by West Midlands Ambulance Service. The installation at Kidderminster completes the introduction of the defibrillators at ASDA's two counties’ stores. The others are at Bromsgrove, Worcester, Pershore and Hereford.

Kidderminster store manager Grant Gardner said: “I think the training we had was excellent. It was very knowledgeable - it was easy to follow.

"I had a few worries about using the defibrillator but no worries now because the instructions are there for us to follow. I think it’s fantastic that ASDA are doing it in the local community.”

Diane Pearson, community response trainer for West Midlands Ambulance Service, said: “It’s part of a large programme across the country and it’s really good that ASDA has taken that on as a chain not just individual stores.

"Defibrillators are important - they can save lives and the more people who know about them and can access them, the better chance we have of saving people.”