A LIFE-saving device could soon be situated in the centre of Tavistock and operated by the town's street pastors and a few chosen residents.

The idea to place a defibrillator in town came from Lamerton and Gulworthy Parish Council, which then approached the Tavistock Street Pastors for their opinion and Tavistock Town Council for its support.

The device gives a shock to the heart to get the organ pumping again when someone goes into cardiac arrest. Similar ones have already been placed in many towns and villages in West Devon and East Cornwall.

Lamerton and Gulworthy Parish Council asked Tavistock council to submit an application for the defibrillator, which it has agreed to, to the Southern Parishes Link Committee for TAP funding.

Roger Bird, deputy co-ordinator of the Tavistock Street Pastors, said: 'We said [to the parish council] that there was a particular need for a defibrillator in Tavistock.

'Within the funding that will hopefully be allocated, there will be provision for a day's training from the South West Ambulance Trust for up to 36 people, which will include street pastor leaders and a couple of police officers.'

The location for the defibrillator is yet to be officially determined but is hoped to be positioned in an area which will be easily accessible to everyone.

The cost, which includes training on how to operate the piece of equipment, is £2,346.80.

Members of the town council's finance and general purposes meeting earlier this month discussed the item and felt it would be of benefit to Tavistock.

Cllr Colin Rogers said: 'I have been in a situation where one was placed upon me last year. The ambulance was parked in Bedford Square [Tavistock] but on other occasions they may not be so quickly available so having a defib in the town would be invaluable.'

Deputy mayor Cllr Sue Bailey said: 'It's an excellent idea and we should support it.'

• The TAP (Town and Parish) Fund is for towns and parishes which have a project that could benefit the local community. The fund is jointly-funded by Devon County Council and West Devon Borough Council and is open to all town and parish councils within West Devon.