A life-saving defibrillator machine has been given to a Baildon School as part of a district-wide scheme to provide instant help in a serious medical emergency.

Sandal Primary School was presented with the easy-to-use machine by Shaun Ingram, managing director of distributors Cardiac Science.

The PowerHeart defibrillator is made in the US and instructs the user on simple procedures which could make the difference between life and death in the event of someone suffering a heart attack “We put one in Salts School just down the road a year ago, and since then, we have installed about 15 in schools and academies across Bradford,” Mr Ingram said. “Donating the machine is about raising public awareness of how they can save lives.”

Sandal’s new headteacher Louise Dale said having a defibrillator on site was a great asset – but one she hoped would never be needed.

“It’s great to have this piece of kit here at the school – although in an ideal situation we’d never have to use it,” said Mrs Dale, who arrived as the new head at the start of this academic year.

“Although one wouldn’t expect heart attacks to happen in a school, sadly it’s not unknown and so it is reassuring to have one in the building.”