Two new life-saving defibrillators have been installed in Sprowston.

The units in bright green boxes have been located at the Diamond Centre on School Lane and at the Recreation Ground.

Town councillors were there to officially welcome the Diamond Centre machine after it was set up and it is hoped that both devices will help to save lives.

The East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) donated the equipment and Sprowston Town Council agreed to pay for the units needed to store the devices.

The EEAST scheme has seen the defibrillators being handed over to a host of organisations and businesses, including village halls, shops, sports clubs and pubs.

Anthony Marsh, EEAST chief executive, said: 'Ambulance staff aim to arrive at the scene of a cardiac arrest within minutes of the initial 999 call.

'However, every second counts and having a defibrillator on scene can make the vital difference between life or death.

'I'm proud that we have managed to deliver 1,000 defibrillators to key locations in communities across the East of England in under three months. This project will undoubtedly save lives over the coming months and years.'

A defibrillator can make a crucial difference in the first two or three minutes before an ambulance crew or community first responder reaches a patient who is not breathing and whose heart has stopped.

The trust is continuing its work to train first aiders and staff to use the AEDs at the locations that have received one, if they are called into action.

Do you have a story about Sprowston? Call reporter George Ryan on 01603 772748 or email george.ryan@archant.co.uk