FREEMASONS have donated a vital piece of life-saving medical equipment to St John Ambulance in Bridgwater.

Mark Master Masons Somerset Province presented a brand new state of the art defibrillator to staff at the charity's new county headquarters in the Woodlands Court Business Park.

Will Newton, assistant commissioner ambulance and healthcare for St John Ambulance Somerset, said: “This unit will increase our ability to diagnose the early symptoms heart attacks and also enables us to monitor the patients all the way to hospital and to give a full report to the waiting medics.

“It will save lives and being portable it will give us greater flexibility whilst on duty. We are extremely grateful to the Mark Masons for their continued support to the charity which helps us to make a real difference to the health of our local communities.”

The £10,000 defibrillators will be used across the county and the donation from the Mark Masons comes 11 years after they bought an ambulance for the Wells division.

David Nelson, provincial grand master, hailed the group's fundraising efforts over the last 18 months when they have also raised money for two dogs for the Hearing Dogs for the Deaf charity.

He said: 'The Masons take our civic responsibilities seriously and we do try to ensure local groups and charities are looked after. We are delighted to have been able to help Somerset St John Ambulance again.”