RESIDENTS have been learning lifesaving techniques thanks to new equipment installed at a town cafe.

The defibrillator, installed at Libby's Cafe in Connah's Quay, was donated by the Flint and District Lions Club as part of an ongoing campaign to place these devices throughout the area.

This is the fifth defibrillator to be installed as part of the campaign, which was started by former president of the club, Bryn Jones.

John Gregory, current president, said: " We know that our earlier donated devices have been used to save lives. It is one of those donations where we hope the machine may never be needed but experience shows that it will.

"Today's training session is an important step in ensuring full value can be obtained from the machine in an emergency.

"We wish all involved in the future use of the defibrillator every success."

The cafe is home to many community groups, including arts and crafts, knitting, social links drop-ins and sugar crafts workshops etc.

Members of the comunity turned up on Wednesday morning to receive training in how to use the equipment, which could benefit many in the community.

Members of the Alzheimer's Society also attended the session as they hold a memory cafe at the building on the first Tuesday of every month.

David Allmark, dementia advisor for Alzheimer's Society in Flintshire, told the Leader that even those with dementia can follow the instructions which is important in saving a person's life.

Cllr Gill Faulkner, of Connah's Quay, added: "It will benefit the whole of the area. Everyone will be able to use it, it's an amazing thing."

Sandra Richards said she wanted to fundraise for the equipment but realised it would take too long, and was approached by the Flint and District Lions Club who offered to donate the item.

She said: "It was going to take us ages to get the money together for a defibrillator.

"I can't thank them enough, without them we wouldn't have it and it's such an important thing.

"The amount of people that use the cafe will now have the defibrillator on hand and it's going to be easily accessible."