Sedgefield First Responders, initiated by the Sedgefield Development Partnership, has held its first training sessions and formed its own organisation, with the Mayor of Sedgefield, Councillor Ellen Robinson, as the group's patron.

The group aims to offer a quick response first aid service to heart attack victims.

Volunteers have been trained in the use of an automatic defibrillator, the cost of which is being shared between the North-East Ambulance Service and the British Heart Foundation.

Once fully trained, the Sedgefield First Responder group's members will provide a rapid response in the vital early minutes after a heart attack.

The organisers are delighted with the response so far and expect numbers volunteering for training to increase in the next few weeks.

Meanwhile, they have to raise £2,500 to pay their share of the cost of equipment and training.

They have received a £250 donation from a local person and £100 from Spennymoor Rotary Club, in memory of a Sedgefield member's wife, who died recently.

Anyone who wishes to help by contributing through sponsorship or training can contact the group on (01740) 621503.