LIFE-SAVING defibrillators has been installed at Bolton bus station.

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has worked with the North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust to install automated external defibrillators (AED) at 16 bus stations across Greater Manchester.

Bus station and Travelshop staff have been trained to use the emergency equipment — which can help to restart someone’s heart if it has stopped beating.

Because AEDs only activate if they can’t detect a heartbeat, the defibrillators can be safely used with very little help.

And 999 emergency operators have the location of all the devices, which means they can also direct any nearby emergency callers to a bus station where a defibrillator is on hand.

Dr Jon Lamonte, chief executive of TfGM, said: “Safety is always at the top of the agenda for our bus stations, and defibrillators really can make the difference between life and death for someone whose heart has failed.

“I know our bus station teams are delighted to have the defibrillators on the premises, as they can now be confident that if the need arose they could provide that vital extra help to a passenger and potentially save a life.”

David McNally, community resuscitation manager for the North West Ambulance Service, added: “Our aim is to ensure there are defibrillators at as many public locations as possible.

“For every minute a person in cardiac arrest doesn't have a defibrillator attached to their chest, their chance of survival reduces by 14 per cent. Using the defibrillator within four minutes of collapse gives the best possible chance of survival.”

Defibrillators are now installed at Altrincham, Ashton, Bury and Rochdale and Shudehill Interchanges, Bolton, Hyde, Leigh, Manchester Airport Middleton, Oldham, Stockport, Wigan and Wythenshawe Bus Stations, and Travelshops at Eccles and Piccadilly Gardens.

Last year The Bolton News teamed up with Bolton West MP Julie Hilling to launch the Every School-leaver A Lifesaver campaign.

It aims to teach every youngster in Bolton life-saving schools before they leave school.