Free courses in vital life-saving skills are being run in Lowestoft tomorrow as part of a new campaign.

Staff at BBC Radio Suffolk were moved by the story of Jonathan Jenkyn, 38, from Ipswich, who was saved by his wife Sacha when he went into cardiac arrest in the middle of last year because she managed to give him CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation).

As a result the station decided it was important to try and ensure more people have those crucial skills, as without them Mrs Jenkyn would not have been able to revive her husband and save his life.

So they teamed up with St John Ambulance to organise courses across Suffolk to give more people the necessary training and knowledge.

So many people have responded that extra courses - treble the original capacity - have had to be put on to cope with demand - but there are still places available on the Lowestoft courses taking place at the St John Ambulance Centre in Oxford Road, Lowestoft tomorrow (Tuesday, January 26).

The hour-long sessions will take place at 10am and 11.45am.

Linda Walker, from BBC Radio Suffolk, said: 'Jonathan admitted that had it been the other way round, there is a strong possibility he could've been a widower.

'It really stuck with us here and we felt we needed to do something to further this.

'We launched it a week ago and we were completely blown away by the response.'

She added that there had been some heartwarming responses from their listeners, including from a woman in Pakefield running exercise classes who felt it was important she knew CPR in case anyone in her class were to get into trouble.

Tony Curd, St John Ambulance district manager, said: 'I'd like to encourage people in Lowestoft and the surrounding areas to book on one of the two sessions.

'It's a fantastic opportunity to learn about CPRand Automated External Defibrillators for free and it will only take around an hour to complete the demonstration. 'We're working alongside BBC Suffolk to equip more people with these essential life saving skills in the county so this really is an opportunity not to be missed.'

To book, call 01245 291303 or email east-training@sja.org.uk quoting 'CPR demo Suffolk'.