A LIFESAVING heart defibrillator is to be installed at a Chesham leisure centre.

Members of Chesham Town Council voted overwhelmingly in favour of installing the device at the Chesham Moor Gym and Swim, which is operated by the authority.

Defibrillators, which regulate abnormal heartbeats, have become a common feature at leisure centres, schools and shopping centres in recent years.

Many give step-by-step instructions on how to use them when they are activated.

Awareness of their importance increased after footballer Fabrice Muamba suffered an on-pitch cardiac arrest during a match, with his heart stopping for over an hour.

Passing the motion to have them installed in Chesham, town councillor Tina Michael said at a meeting on Monday night: "I welcome a defibrillator. It's essential for running that sort of facility."