A DISUSED phone box at Colwall Green has been given a new lease of life with the installation of a defibrillator.

The makeover of the phone box is the result of a collaboration between three community organisations: Colwall WINGS WI, Colwall Rotary Club and Heartstart Malvern.

After Colwall WINGS WI purchased the phone box for just £1, a survey of members and local residents was conducted to suggest suitable uses.

Club president Jane Stratton said “We came to the conclusion that the phone box is a key focal point for the community and as such is going to have a variety of uses over time in conjunction with the defibrillator.

"We are working closely with the Malvern Hills Trust to provide mapping and information about the local area and this should take place imminently.”

Funds were raised for the defibrillator through a Thai supper, an open-air cinema evening and a donation from Colwall Rotary.

Chris Mill, senior vice-president of Colwall Rotary, said: “ So many of the members of both Rotary and the WI are sadly all too aware of the prevalence of cardiac arrests and we are all keen to see the availability of public-access defibrillators in key locations in our community. We are proud to be associated with the project.”

Richard Vakis-Lowe, chairman of Heartstart Malvern, said “We are thrilled that both Colwall WINGS and Colwall Rotary have become such keen supporters of Heartstart Malvern.

"They have actively promoted and participated in our resuscitation training sessions too and plan to host more between them. Groups like these are essential in our mission to provide services to Malvern’s surrounding villages. We are enormously grateful ”.

Training courses in resuscitation and defibrillator use, are regularly hosted by Heartstart Malvern. Information can be found at heartstartmalvern.org.uk.