THANKS to the Spithead Lodge of Freemasons, there is now a second defibrillator available in Seaview.

The Lodge purchased a defibrillator and the British Heart Foundation provided an external cabinet to house it. Local electrician Terry Parsons of KT Electricals fitted the cabinet free of charge to the wall of the Masonic Hall in Fairy Road.

The defibrillator was presented to Cllr Barry Elliott, vice chair of the Nettlestone and Seaview Council, by the Spithead Lodge secretary Bob Cooper.

Cllr Elliott said: "On behalf of the residents of Seaview, I thank the Spithead Lodge for their generosity in purchasing the defibrillator and the British Heart Foundation and KT Electrical for making this life saving facility available.

"We all hope it will never have to be used, but it is now here if ever needed."

Louise Walker, head of community response services for the Isle of Wight NHS Trust, said: "On behalf of the Isle of Wight NHS Trust Ambulance Service I sincerely commend the Spithead Lodge for not only investing in a life-saving piece of equipment, but also for going through the extra process that has enabled it to be available to the community 24/7.

"Defibrillators really do save lives and we are truly grateful to have yet another device ready for action in our community."