The former telephone kiosk in the centre of the village of Ludchurch is now set up to save lives in a different way.

The kiosk, which has been bought by the Ludchurch Village Committee, is now home to a defibrillator and was the setting for the official launch.

Sponsors, villagers and committee members got together to get a demonstration from the chairman of the Village Committee, Dr. Anthony Evans, on the use of a defibrillator in medical emergencies.

The funding for the defibrillator was given by three local businesses - Messrs. G. D. Harries of Templeton, Princes Gate Spring Water and Andrew Rees and Sons, butchers of Narberth. There was further support from Little Kings Holiday Park and The Sign Box of Templeton.

The members of St. Elidyr’s Church, Ludchurch, have also purchased a new battery so that a second defibrillator can be brought back into use at a different site in the village.

Chairman Anthony Evans said: “This is such an important matter in a rural area like ours. It’s well known that defibrillators save lives. There has been huge support for this from the local community and already dozens of people have attended training sessions on the use of the equipment.

“We are so grateful to all of our generous sponsors as these are expensive pieces of equipment. They were only too ready to donate and it is a tribute to their public-spirited attitude.

“We have an enthusiastic, hard-working committee and I would especially like to express our thanks to two members, Richard and Jo Phillips, who have taken the lead and worked so hard on the defibrillator project,” he said.

Since its re-formation just 18 months ago, Ludchurch Village Committee has organised litter picks and other regular ground maintenance and tidying around the village and set up a new rambling group which meets monthly and has organised two popular village barbecues.

The committee has also made real progress in its exciting plans to convert Longstone Chapel into a community centre and hopes to make a major announcement in the very near future.

A four-mile fun run also takes place in the village on Sunday, September 30, starting from Little Kings Holiday Park and this is aimed at raising funds for the community centre project. Organisers are hoping to attract around 200 runners.

Ludchurch Village Committee chairman, Dr Anthony Evans explains the working of the defibrillator to sponsors and villagers.