A community effort has led to a new life-saving defibrillator being installed at a popular recreation site in Dartington.

Grants from the parish council, along with the local primary school and village sports teams have resulted in the defibrillator being unveiled at Meadowbrook Community Centre.

It is the 100th such device provided by the Jay’s Aim charity, which was launched in 2018 after Jay Osborne, 28, of North Devon died in 2017.

He had an undiagnosed inherited heart condition that caused a fatal cardiac arrest.

Dartington Parish Council donated £1,500 towards the defibrillator.

Parish clerk, Kate Wilson, said: “Meadowbrook is essential to the community and having a defibrillator there is very good news.”

Dartington Primary pupils also donated £251 raised through a non-uniform day where they all dressed as super heroes including Marvel comic characters, doctors, firemen and even Emmeline Pankhurst.

Jay’s Aim provides defibrillators to locations across the South West and training on how to use the equipment, including to Dartington’s Year 6 pupils and staff.

Pupil Harlee said: “All of our lessons are important to us so that we can learn and grow to be what we want to be, but the life saving lessons help others as well as ourselves.

“We could save a life or help someone else to if needed."

Headteacher Charlotte Huish, added: “I am really proud of how enthusiastic our pupils were to be learning about first aid and to see them take responsibility over their training.”

The defibrillator cost £2,000 to buy and install and other donations also came from Dartington Swimming Club, Totnes Sub Aqua Club, Totnes and Dartington Football Club, Meadowbrook Athletic Football Club, New Lion Brewery and Pizzalogica.

Will Fitzgerald, chairman of the Dartington Recreation Association, said: “This partnership working, from the major grant from the parish council and the fundraising efforts of both the children at Dartington Primary and the sports clubs and local businesses, has ensured we are able to install this crucial piece of equipment for the use of both local people and visitors to the facilities at Meadowbrook.”