A north Norfolk town has been equipped with vital life-saving equipment this week, ahead of the busy tourist season.

The group behind bringing the Community Public Access Defibrillator (CPAD) to Mundesley, unveiled the equipment in the town's centre.

The machine is housed in a purpose-built, key code-secured box outside The Gallery in the High Street and is accessed by calling 999.

Ian Powell of The Gallery supplied the wall space free-of-charge and is also supplying the electricity for it.

It can improve the survival rate of people suffering a sudden cardiac arrest to 74pc.

Nick Alexander, chairman and beach crew of the Mundesley Inshore Lifeboat, was one of the people behind the plans to bring a CPAD to the town and said it was 'a fantastic opportunity' to put something back into the community.

'It's been put in as part of 40th anniversary of the life boat - which keeps going from strength to strength,' he said.

'It will hopefully save the lives of people here.'

The CPAD was set up and will be maintained by the East of England Ambulance Service's community first responder (CFR) group in Mundesley, who have also carried out training for residents in how to use it.

CFRs are groups of trained volunteers who are dispatched to specific 999 calls, such as cardiac arrests, in their own community at the same time as an ambulance crew. Because they live closer they may get there a few minutes quicker, which could prove the difference between life and death.

Also at the launch was Peter Wright, the CFR group's community engagement officer. He said: 'This equipment is vitally important, it really could help save the life of someone who has suffered a cardiac arrest.

'And it is particularly appropriate that it is being launched just in time for the holiday season when Mundesley sees its population swell due to visitors.'

The group was given �2,000 in funding for the equipment by Mundesley Inshore Lifeboat and it was officially unveiled by North Norfolk MP Norman Lamb on April 5.