A project has been launched to raise awareness about how to use life-saving equipment in Borehamwood.

The Defibrillators Save Lives campaign will also raise awareness of where the machines are located in the town.

Lawrence Stack, who came up with the idea for the campaign, said: “I was in St John’s Ambulance for 20 years and feel very strongly about first aid issues. It has taken off all round, and people have become very interested.

“There is one in M&S and a couple of doctor surgeries, but I thought there should be one in the centre of town at least.

“I am hoping to get quite a few placed around the town, to help save people’s lives. At the moment there are not any. That is why we are pushing this event.”

Borehamwood Hillside councillor Pat Strack, who is helping coordinate the project, said: “It can be any age group that needs them, not just old people. What we are doing is finding out where we need them. People are a little bit scared about using them but in actual fact, you cannot do any damage at all.

“Anyone can have a heart attack, and it can get their heart going again and it gets it going quickly. They are not much use if you do not know where they are.

“There is a Jewish proverb, ‘if a man saves one life he saves the world’. That’s our spirit."

A launch party will take place at 96 Shenley Road on July 15, with the fire brigade due to hold a demonstration.

Cllr Strack added: “A lot of us are working together on this. The first thing we did was try to look where they are already, so we can let the public know where they are.

“We will make sure the lists are all over the place, including in our town crier magazine and in GP surgeries, community centres, clubs and organisations. We will distribute them as far as we can.

“Anywhere where lots of people meet, anyone can have a heart attack and it can get their heart going again and it gets it going quickly. They are not much use if you do not know where they are. A lot of us are working together.”

The project is a joint initiative between the Elstree and Borehamwood Residents’ Association, Elstree and Borehamwood Town Council, Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue and Hertfordshire Police.