A COMEDIAN resuscitated after collapsing on stage has given his full backing to a Bury school's support for a campaign encouraging more young people to learn vital life-saving skills.

Ted Robbins visited Derby High School to endorse their efforts in the recent ITV Good Morning Britain "Heels 4 Hearts" initiative.

Under "Heels 4 Hearts", pupils joined other people nationwide by donating unwanted, wearable shoes to British Heart Foundation shops to help fund CPR (cardio pulmonary resuscitation) training kits for secondary schools and sixth form colleges.

The commitment by the pupils at the Radcliffe Road school was rewarded when they were visited by the comedian and an ITV film crew.

School spokesman Damion Langford said: "We received 35 CPR kits. They have an inflatable dummy with an airway attached, pumps, antiseptic wipes and a DVD with guidance about how to set up the dummy and perform CPR.

"We were delighted to welcome Ted Robbins and ITV who filmed delivery of the CPR kits and the vast numbers of shoes being loaded onto the collection vehicle. Ted Robbins reinforced the importance of the campaign and how he had himself benefited from life-saving CPR.

"Pupils were keen to stress that they were involved in the campaign because they saw its vital importance in ensuring that more kits are purchased. This is something they are passionate about and that resonated in all their discussions."

Mr Robbins collapsed during a performance of Phoenix Nights Live at the Manchester Arena in January and was resuscitated by an off-duty doctor and paramedic who used CPR. Since then, the comedian has vowed to raise awareness of CPR and defibrillators.