LEOMINSTER Town Council has provided a team of 'vital' first responders with a much-needed funding boost.

The Hereford Times has previously reported how the team of Community First Responders in Herefordshire now have to raise funds to replace batteries and pads for defibrillators.

Due to spending pressures, West Midlands Ambulance Service will no longer pay for the routine replacement of pads and batteries. They will only pay to replace those pads used to treat a cardiac arrest.

But Leominster Town Council has stepped in to help and has donated £1,000 to the team.

Leominster town councillor Clive Thomas, who was in the ambulance service for 40 years, made the application to the town council for funding, said: "These people are vital in the town. It is so important."

Councillors unanimously approved the funding.

Simon Jenkins, one of the Community First Responders, said: "It keeps us going. Without batteries and pads for defibrillators we cannot go out."