ALL three Morrisons supermarkets in Swindon have a defibrillator in store in case of emergency.

The chain has been given a St John's Ambulance Everyday Hero award for installing the life-saving equipment in every one of its shops, and the supermarket says defibrillators have been called into action at least five times in its shops nationwide since it began a year ago.

As part of the £500,000 initiative by the store's charitable arm Morrisons Trust, the company Morrisons arranged for more than 2,300 employees to attend sessions on how to use defibrillators and give CPR run by St John Ambulance volunteers.

Gary Mills, group retail director of Morrisons, said: “We hope it's reassuring for customers, colleagues and the local community to know that we have defibrillators in Morrisons. We have staff trained in first aid and CPR but a defibrillator boosts a person's chances of survival in the event of a cardiac arrest so we’re pleased to have them in our stores.”

Mark Farmer, director of first aid services, St John Ambulance said: “Our Everyday Heroes awards recognise those who give and champion give first aid to make a real difference. This huge undertaking by Morrisons to keep people safe has already reaped the rewards of lives saved and is a most deserving winner of our Workplace Hero award.

"Up to seven out of 10 people who suffer a cardiac arrest could survive if they are treated with a defibrillator within the first five minutes. We know from our research that members of the public would like to see more of these vital devices in their neighbourhood.”