SUPERMARKET giant Tesco has announced it is to provide six life-saving defibrillators in some of its largest stores across Worcestershire.

It is part of its programme, which started being rolled out at the beginning of May, to introduce the equipment to 907 large stores across the UK.

Statistics from the British Heart Foundation (BHF) show that more than 30,000 people suffer a cardiac arrest outside of hospital in the UK every year, but fewer than one in 10 survive.

For every minute without CPR and defibrillation, a person’s chance of survival decreases by around 10 per cent.

The Tesco supermarkets in Worcestershire which will be equipped with a defibrillator are the Worcester stores at Warndon and St Peter’s, the Kidderminster store, Redditch Extra, Evesham and Stourport.

Overall 729 Tesco Extra stores in the country will be fitted with defibrillators as part of the initiative, and the retailer also plans to install the equipment in all of its 178 Metro stores over the coming weeks.

Tony Hoggett, Tesco UK chief operating officer, said: “We are always looking for ways to help the communities we serve, and we know that having a defibrillator to hand can mean saving the life of someone suffering a cardiac arrest. This initiative has the potential to make a real difference to customers and colleagues all over the country.”

Sara Askew, British Heart Foundation Head of Survival, said: “If you have a cardiac arrest in the UK today you have just a one in 10 chance of survival. More people could be saved if more people had the skills and confidence to perform CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and more defibrillators were available and accessible in public places.

“We are delighted that Tesco is supporting BHF’s Nation of Lifesavers campaign by making public access defibrillators available in all its larger stores. Knowing vital CPR skills and having access to a defibrillator can often be the difference between life and death.”

Tesco says it is working to improve the health of the nation through its partnership with Diabetes UK and the British Heart Foundation. The partnership supports new initiatives that will help people lead healthier, longer and more active lives.

• According to the BHF a cardiac arrest happens when the heart stops pumping blood around the body. If someone has suddenly collapsed, is not breathing normally and is unresponsive, they are in cardiac arrest and there is no time to lose - even an untrained person can help.

• A cardiac arrest is an emergency and anyone who witnesses this can increase a person’s chances of survival by immediately phoning 999 and giving CPR by doing chest compressions – pumping the heart by external cardiac massage – to keep the circulation going until medical help arrives, says the BHF.