A MALVERN company has become the first in the area to ensure all new starters receive life-saving defibrillator training.

Melton Group is providing the training as part of its induction programme, teaming up with charity Heartstart Malvern.

The training represents a major investment for Melton who will take new recruits away from their other training to be shown how to use the equipment which shocks a heart into beating again.

Melton has also donated £300 to sponsor a celebration event for Heartstart Malvern on World Heart Restart Day on Tuesday, October 16.

The session, to be held at Mount Pleasant Hotel, starts with breakfast at 7am. People will be shown how to use a defibrillator and will have the opportunity to practice using a training defibrillator.

Melanie Baker, managing director of Melton Group, said: "Through our cleaning and facilities work in schools, with retailers, and in medical centres, our team collectively meet hundreds of people every day.

“Putting our staff through Heartstart Malvern’s training means they are ready and able to help save the life of someone in cardiac arrest. It’s an essential piece of technology and really easy to operate with the right training.

“There are around 30,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests every year in the UK. Less than 10 per cent of these people will survive. That’s a frightening number and underlines why it’s crucial for as many people as possible to be trained.

“We are very proud to be the first local firm to make the training a key part of our induction. It means a lot to us to do whatever we can in the local community.”

Richard Vakis-Lowe, chairman of Heartstart Malvern, said: “I am delighted that the team from Melton have taken part in our defibrillator training programme. They’ve gone away well-equipped to help anyone who may suffer from a cardiac arrest.

"I would encourage any other local businesses who would like to find out more about Heartstart Malvern to contact us at heartstartmalvern.org.uk."