EAST Lancashire councils are considering making lifesaving defibrillators in public buildings accessible 24-hours-a-day.

It comes as a person collapsed at Witton Park in Blackburn and needed the life saving kit.

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Bosses at Blackburn with Darwen Council say they are now planning to relocate the device to the outside of the arena building, accessed by a keypad.

The person who collapsed survived and is recovering.

Burnley Council are carrying out a similar review after recently installing devices in all council buildings and training frontline staff on how to use them.

Rick Wilson, organiser of the 5km group runs at Witton Park, which help inactive people take up running, said: “Participating in any event, like running, has lots of health benefits and can lead to a healthier lifestyle. But there are always risks.

“There was an incident recently where a defibrillator was used on someone. The council have reviewed their policy and there are plans to have 24-hour access to it if needed. At Witton Park there’s a defibrillator a matter of moments away in the arena.

“It’s one of the most active parks in the country as there’s tremendous amount of activity going on there.”

He said: “Defibrillators can be life savers until paramedics arrive.”

Now Burnley council is looking at ways to improve its policy.

Mick Cartledge, director of community services at Burnley Council, said: “We have got seven easy-to-use defibrillators installed in the main council building, including the town hall, market hall, Towneley Hall and Contact Burnley.

Blackburn with Darwen Council’s Claire Ramwell said: “Whilst we haven’t made any plans to install a 24-hour public access defibrillator we would be delighted to work with the Couch to 5km group.”