A COMMUNITY in Chester is in shock after a life-saving defibrillator machine went missing.

The device – which helps revive people suffering a heart attack – was stored inside the club house at Blacon Youth FC on Cairns Crescent in Blacon.

But it has emerged this week that it has disappeared and no one knows if it was stolen or used to tackle a genuine medical emergency.

Cheshire Police, North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) and Lee Challinor – who funded the £1,000 gizmo and more than 20 others through his Blacon Defibrillator Fund – are urging anyone who took it to return it immediately.

Dad-of-nine Lee said: “I’m gutted to be honest. If anyone has taken it then they should just bring it back and no more will be said about it.

“Whether it is lost or stolen the fact is that a life-saving piece of equipment has gone. It took a lot of effort to raise the money for it. It’s devastating.”

And a spokesman for NWAS said: "It could cost lives if it is not returned."

Building work has recently been carried out at the club and some believe the device may have been removed to facilitate this.

“It could genuinely have been put in a van by mistake but that doesn’t help us – we’re a defibrillator down,” said Lee, 37, who is a well-known face in the community.

“If someone has stolen it then maybe a bit of publicity will be enough to prick their conscience and get them to bring it back.”

Martin Dean, of Blacon Youth FC, said the club had been sickened to discover the defibrillator had disappeared.

And he has vowed to raise funds for a new one if it is not returned.

"It's either been misplaced or stolen but we haven't got a clue which," said Martin. "It's a sickener."

He added: "It's a life-saving piece of equipment and people have done a lot of charity work to get it and make out community better and safer.

"If it doesn't turn up we think it's right that we as a club fundraise to replace it."

A spokesman for Cheshire Police said on Twitter: “We have been informed that the defibrillator that is located at the football ground on Cairns Crescent, Blacon, has been removed.

“We appreciate it may have been used in genuine circumstances but it could also have been stolen. Any information on its whereabouts is requested.”

People have spoken of their shock at the machine’s disappearance on Facebook.

One man wrote: “What is wrong with people?!”

And a woman added: “Couldn’t really get any lower than that!”

* If you have any information on the missing defibrillator call police on 101.