A TWELFTH heart-start machine has been installed at Newcastle Airport, as part of a Government-backed initiative which has already saved lives.

Newcastle was one of the first UK airports to have automated external defibrillators (AEDs) installed last year, with 150 staff train-ed to use the equipment.

A year later, the 12th defibrillator has been installed to ensure every area within the airport can be reached as quickly as possible - even the long-term car park.

The latest defibrillator will be placed on a mobile security vehicle which can be contacted and directed immediately to where it is needed.

The defibrillators have been used three times at the airport over the past 12 months. Defibrillation carried out as early as possible after a person collapses from cardiac arrest will greatly increase the chance of survival.

The North-East Ambulance Service NHS Trust provided training, which covered basic life support and use of the automated defibrillator, with refresher training at six monthly intervals.

Carol Mather, the airport's occupational health advisor, said: "Defibrillators provided by the Government under this scheme across the UK have been used at 60 cardiac arrests between September 2000 and May 2002 and following successful defibrillation six lives have been saved.

"I am very proud of all the staff, from a wide range of departments, who volunteered to do the training at Newcastle Airport and are now on hand to help people in life-threatening situations."