THREE rural communities in West Devon are to get life-saving defibrillator machines thanks to a council grant. The leader of West Devon Borough Council and local Devon County Councillor, Philip Sanders, will present the equipment to volunteers from Bere Ferrers, Buckland Monachorum and Hexworthy at Buckland Monachorum Church Hall this Saturday (June 21). Eight volunteers from each community will be trained how to use the defibrillators by first-aid charity, St John Ambulance. They will then pass on their skills to other local people so each community has a network of residents who know how to use the equipment in a medical emergency. The defibrillators have been paid for through the West Devon Town and Parish (TAP) Fund which is funded by West Devon Borough and Devon County Councils. Cllr Sanders said: 'I am delighted to support this worthwhile project. 'Every minute counts when it comes to saving lives and having these defibrillators on hand could make all the difference. 'I would like to thank the local volunteers for stepping forward to be trained and also the parish councils for giving the scheme their full support.' The defibrillators will be stored at each of the villages in special all-weather boxes, which keep the machines fully charged, and will be accessible 24 hours a day. Bere Ferrers parish councillor, Brian Lamb, who is leading the project for his area, said: 'There is now growing evidence that lives are being saved by the use of such defibrillators in the UK, particularly in remote rural areas, where it may take longer for the emergency services to arrive. 'When somebody goes into cardiac arrest, every minute without CPR and defibrillation reduces the chance of survival by 10%, so we are very lucky to have this vital equipment in Bere Ferrers and a network of volunteers who will be trained to use it.' The TAP Fund has been developed to promote collaborative working between towns and parishes to tackle local community issues and support joint projects. Devon County Council leader John Hart said: 'Devon County Council is continuing to make funds available to communities to use how they see best. 'This money is available to parish and town councils to spend in ways that will benefit their communities. 'I firmly believe decisions should be made as locally as possible to encourage local accountability and I have always advocated more partnership with our district, town and parish colleagues.' To find out more about the West Devon TAP Fund visit or call 01822 813600.