An open air swimming pool in Lydney is a step closer to having a life-saving defibrillator on-site, thanks to a donation from Persimmon.

Persimmon East Wales has handed £1,000 to Bathurst Outdoor Pool through its long-running Community Champions scheme. Each month Persimmon donates up to £64,000 to worthy causes.

Trustees at the charity pool want to purchase an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) for volunteers or lifeguards to use if someone suffers a cardiac arrest on site.

Defibrillators are devices that restore a normal heartbeat by sending an electric pulse or shock to the heart. They can also restore the heart's beating if the heart suddenly stops Abigail Jones, of Bathurst Outdoor Pool, said: “We are extremely grateful to Persimmon Homes for this generous donation.

“The pool is a fantastic asset to the local community and is enjoyed by thousands of people from the Forest of Dean and further afield every year.

“We feel that it is really important to keep visitors to our pool safe. We hope we never have to use the defibrillator but, if the worst happens, it could be a life-saving piece of kit.

“We are looking to fundraise for the defibrillator by holding a sponsored swim but this can’t start until the pool is open again, so it’s great to get a head-start with this grant.”

The 38-metre outdoor pool in the Forest of Dean is run by volunteers and open for at least 14 weeks during the summer. Victoria Williams, sales director at Persimmon East Wales, said: “We’re delighted to be able to support the pool with this grant.

“Defibrillators have becoming increasingly common in recent years and have saved many lives. I think it’s a great idea to have one here just in case it is ever required. “It’s great to be a part of the fundraising drive.”

Persimmon is currently building stunning new homes at its Bishops Mead site in Lydney, where three-bedroom properties are available from £197,995.