Villagers have moved a step closer to installing a defibrillator in part of their community after an earlier debate was halted by a council walk-out.

Proposals to site the life-saving equipment in Brookville, a hamlet near Methwold, were due to be raised at a Methwold Parish Council meeting earlier this month.

But the discussion could not go ahead after three councillors walked out, meaning there were not enough left to allow it to proceed.

Eastern Daily Press: Denise Charlesworth-Smith, vice-chair of Methwold Parish Council Picture: Sonya DuncanDenise Charlesworth-Smith, vice-chair of Methwold Parish Council Picture: Sonya Duncan (Image: Sonya Duncan)

It had to be called off after a councillor left because the vice-chair Denise Charlesworth-Smith had made a complaint about him and two others followed suit, leaving the council inquorate.

Mrs Charlesworth-Smith said afterwards: "I look forward to the matter soon being satisfactorily resolved and the parish council getting on with helping the public."

On Monday night, a council meeting went ahead, at which the parish council agreed to back the plan.

Eastern Daily Press: Shirley De'ath, who is hoping to install a defibrillator at Brookville, near MethwoldShirley De'ath, who is hoping to install a defibrillator at Brookville, near Methwold (Image: Shirley De'ath)

Shirley De'ath, who has been campaigning for the defibrillator, said afterwards: "It was very well-attended by the public, with probably 30-plus there.

"There was a lively debate about the defibrillator and the parish council confirmed they supported a defibrillator in Brookville.

"They have agreed to give us written support to move permissions forward with highways and will meet to discuss budgets to see if they can offer any financial support."

Eastern Daily Press: Installing a defibrillator costs around £3,000Installing a defibrillator costs around £3,000 (Image: Chris Bishop)

Mrs De'ath said the equipment would cost around £3,000. Villagers have so far raised £1,300.

She added they included £500 from a local business owner and £3 a young girl had donated from her pocket money.

Villagers hope to install a defibrillator in Brookville because it has an increasingly high proportion of elderly residents.

Eastern Daily Press: Brookville, which was set up as a self-sufficient community in the 1880s Picture: GoogleBrookville, which was set up as a self-sufficient community in the 1880s Picture: Google (Image: Google)

The leafy hamlet sprang up in the 1880s, after London businessman Robert Goodrich set up a self-sufficient community where people could grow their own food and sell the surplus to escape from the rigours of Victorian London.