There has been a new arrival at Chester Bus Interchange.

The £13m bus station, which opened last year, has taken delivery for a defibrillator. Th new lifesaving machine was fitted by the North West Ambulance Service at Stand A and is accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Councillor Louise Gittins, cabinet member communities and wellbeing at Cheshire West and Chester Council, said: “We are grateful to the North West Ambulance Service.

“Defibrillators can be lifesaving. They are safe and easy to use and will only shock someone if they require it. They are designed to guide the user through the process in such a way that anyone is able to use it.”

All staff working at the Chester Bus Interchange have received training for using a defibrillator.

Robert Hussey, community resuscitation manager, said: “The chance of survival is reduced by 10 per cent for every minute without CPR and defibrillation.

“It’s vital that people in the community are made aware of what to do in the event of a cardiac arrest and are able to start life-saving work even before we’re able to get there.

“Early defibrillation gives patients in a cardiac arrest the best possible chance which is why it’s so important that community access defibrillators are available in as many places as possible.

“They’re so easy to use as the machine will tell you everything you need to know and you can’t do it wrong.”

There are more than 50 defibrillators around Chester city centre. Members of the public making an emergency 999 call will be directed to the nearest unit.