Equipment which could save the lives of mourners attending funerals has been installed.

Dignity, which operates Weston Crematorium on behalf of North Somerset Council, has raised funds for a defibrillator through its charity partner, British Heart Foundation.

Public access defibrillators can be used by anyone in an emergency but staff at the crematorium, in Worle, have also been trained to use it.

Crematorium manager, Laura Williams, said: "Every minute without CPR or defibrillation reduces a person's chance of surviving a cardiac arrest by around 10 per cent. We will always call an ambulance but wanted to do everything we possibly can to provide immediate help."

Donna Stokes of British Heart Foundation added: "We thank Dignity for their commitment to the community and the money they have raised to fund life-saving research which helps keep more families together."