A FLINTSHIRE high school says it is 'very grateful' to have received potentially life-saving medical apparatus from generous local businesses.

Argoed High School, in Mynydd Isa, was handed a defibrillator which was funded by Mold-based Delyn Safety and Jackson Fire and Security.

The new life-saving equipment will be positioned in the reception area of the school, but will be available to the whole of the community.

Both companies are passionate about supporting local communities and recognise the importance of this equipment at a local high school.

The scheme was organised by Sharon Stubbs of Dream Safety, which offer a work experience placement vetting service for schools across north east Wales.

It will see 24 students from Year 10 at the Argoed delivered with training on how to use the defibrillator, as well as a number of the school's teachers,

Mrs Stubbs said: "The school was without a defibrillator and neither is there one available to people elsewhere in the local community.

"For every minute it takes for the defibrillator to reach someone and deliver a shock, their chances of survival reduce by up to 10 per cent. And only 3 per cent of cardiac arrests happen within the recommended retrieval distance of a defibrillator.

"It's good that it will be Year 10 students who'll be given the training, as they will be in the school for another year, plus those who stay on to do A Levels."

Paul Smith, headteacher, said: “We are so very grateful to Mike Joy from Delyn Safety and Rachel Evans from Jackson Fire and Security for their generous donation of a defibrillator for our school and community.

"Thank you to Sharon Stubbs from Dream Safety who has agreed to provide staff and 24 Year 10 students with training in CPR and in the use of the new defibrillator."