THE defibrillators arranged by Barnoldswick and Earby Rotary Club in two West Craven town centres are all fixed and ready for an emergency.

If a person collapses with a suspected cardiac arrest anyone can access the defibrillators by dialling 999. They will be given the code for removing the defibrillator from its secure casing, and the machine itself gives instructions on how to use it.

It will not administer a shock if it detects it is not needed. In a real case of cardiac arrest, it will give the treatment which can restart the heart.

The Barnoldswick machine is located on the wall of the toilets in the Co-op car park, and the Earby machine, paid for by the trustees of the former Salterforth Inghamite Church, is on the toilet wall in the bus station.

Barnoldswick Town Council chairman, Councillor Claire Teall, was handed the Rotary plaque about the defibrillator by Rotarian Michael Peckover, who masterminded the Rotary scheme, including organising a quiz night which raised £881 towards the cost.

Cllr Teall thanked the Rotary Club on behalf of the council and residents, but said she hoped it would never be needed.

Rotary began planning its scheme under the presidency of Martin Chalmers, who handed over the chain of office after two years’ service at the club’s weekly meeting to new president Geoffrey Atkins.