A POTENTIALLY life-saving electronic device has been fitted to the wall of one of Chester's most historic buildings.

The Chester Bluecoat Charity, believed to be Chester's longest standing charity, has now installed a publicly accessible defibrillator to the front archway of the Bluecoat Building on the corner of Upper Northgate and Canal Street.

With the vibrant Northgate Quarter, numerous acclaimed restaurants and also Storyhouse nearby, Upper Northgate Street is a busy spot for Chester locals and visitors alike so The Bluecoat is an ideal host for the public defibrillator, which will be available to the public 24 hours a day.

The defibrillator can be accessed by calling 999 and using the code provided by the call handler. It can be used to restart someone's heart in the case of cardiac arrests, with no previous training required.

Chester and District Standard: The public defibrillator can be used at any time of day, by calling 999.The public defibrillator can be used at any time of day, by calling 999. (Image: Bluecoat charity.)

Early CPR and defibrillation can double a person’s chances of surviving an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. In too many cases, the location of a defibrillator is not known when it is needed most. The defibrillator was donated by a private individual who The Chester Bluecoat Charity have sincerely thanked for their generosity.

Chester and District Standard: Using a defibrillator and early CPR can double a person's chances of surviving a heart attack.Using a defibrillator and early CPR can double a person's chances of surviving a heart attack. (Image: Bluecoat charity.)

Neil Davies, chair of the trustees at The Chester Bluecoat Charity: "Defibrillators can help to reduce avoidable deaths. This newly installed publicly available defibrillator could give a local person or visitor to Chester the best chance possible if they suffer from an unforeseeable cardiac arrest close to the Bluecoat building.

"The Chester Bluecoat Charity strives to make a positive difference in our local community and we are therefore delighted to be able to offer this life saving equipment that could have such an impact in someone’s life."

The Chester Bluecoat Charity awards grants to local organisations that improve peoples’ lives, provides much needed almshouse accommodation to people in need and provides affordable office space to local charities and voluntary organisations.