YOUNG citizens at Westhoughton High School are helping to save lives.

Thanks to a student led campaign, a defibrillator has been sited just outside the school which can be accessed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Westhoughton High School pupils are spearheading a campaign to put 'emergency first aid' lessons on school timetables to increase the chances of survival for those who have suffered a medical emergency such as a cardiac arrest.

Mark Webster, teacher at the school, gave a presentation on the campaign — HeartBeats 2020 — at this evening's Westhoughton and Chew Moor's area forum.

The campaign is to get all political parties to pledge their support for emergency first aid education and ensure there is more access to defibrillators before the next General Election.

As part of the campaign, they have successful bid for money from the area forum to site a defibrillator just outside the school.

Mr Webster said: "This is one of the first public access defibrillators in the area.

"It is required when someone has a cardiac arrest."

Mr Webster said there had been 20 teachers trained to deliver CPR lessons and over the last six years, 1,200 children had been trained in the potentially life-saving technique — with some actually having to put their training in practice. They have also lobbied their local MP Chris Green.

Pupils have given presentations to other schools and community groups to raise awareness of the importance of learning emergency first aid.

Mr Webster said: "This is about when things are going wrong it is our responsibility to do something about it. This is done through instilling the right skills, attitude and the right equipment — it's about looking after the community."

He added: "I am so proud of the students, it has been led by them."