A TEAM of life-saving volunteers will be launched at a Bolton sports venue next week.

Eleven staff at Bolton Arena have received training from Greater Manchester Ambulance Service in using defibrillator equipment in the event of a heart failure emergency.

The project ensures that a defibrillator is available on the premises, and at least one trained members of staff will be on duty at all times. Research shows that if someone's heart should fail, access to a defibrillator can boost their chances of survival by as much as 50 per cent. The initiative is part of the ambulance service's first responders scheme. GMAS first responder manager Tony Carlin said: "If a first responder can intervene early, not only may a life be saved, but the quality of life after the event could be sustained."