The National Trust has introduced a life-saving piece of equipment at Hive Beach in Burton Bradstock, near Bridport, thanks to a generous donation.

Jane Keegan donated a public use defibrillator to Hive Beach in memory of her late husband, Nigel, who volunteered with the National Coastwatch Institution, based on the beach.

The defibrillator has been installed at Hive Beach, a popular West Dorset beach that attracts thousands of tourists and local visitors every year. It has been attached to the side of the National Trust welcome hut, within the car parking area.

Locked within a secure defibrillator cabinet, the equipment is available 24 hours a day for incidents such as cardiac request. Anyone requiring access simply needs to follow the clear instructions. 

Jane, who is a regular visitor to Hive Beach, recognised the potential lifesaving benefit of having a defibrillator at the busy site. She approached the National Trust about providing the unit.  

Scott Welland, the Visitor Operation & Experience Manager for National Trust North and West Dorset, said: 'We are pleased to be able to host this piece of equipment. We want everyone to enjoy their visit to Hive Beach and to feel they are in a safe place.

"It is great we now have a defibrillator on site and while we hope it is never needed, we know that it could potentially save a life of one of our visitors or someone within the community. We would like to thank Jane for making this happen."

This defibrillator will be added to the National Defibrillator Network (The Circuit). To find the nearest defibrillator to you go to www.defibfinder.uk