A MUM who campaigned to have a defibrillator installed at her son's school has expressed her joy after the project proved so successful that it has been extended into the community.

Nicola Ainsworth, whose son Benjamin has an arrhythmia, encouraged Wesley Methodist School, in Forth Road, to begin fundraising for a defibrillator last year and the campaign eventually raised more than £2,000 – enough to buy two devices.

The second defibrillator was presented this month to staff at the Premier store in Ainsworth Road, so members of the nearby community will have easy access to the potentially lifesaving service in an emergency.

Benjamin, aged eight, was diagnosed with the heart condition in 2013 and Nicola said she felt much happier knowing there were vital services nearby should he fall ill.

The 36-year-old, of Tetbury Drive in Breightmet, said: "We are very grateful to everyone who has supported the campaign. To have raised enough money for two defibrillators is really a fantastic achievement.

"It makes a massive difference to my own peace of mind, knowing that if the worst were to happen while Benjamin is at school then he would stand a good chance of surviving.

"A lot of young people are dying from undiagnosed heart conditions, and we are lucky that Benjamin's condition has been diagnosed and we can take the proper steps to keep him safe.

"Having the defibrillator in school and in the community as well not only improves Benjamin's chances, but also those of anyone else in the area who has an undiagnosed condition like his."

The school in Forth Road also offered CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) training with the Bolton Wanderers Community Trust and is sending out flyers to inform local residents of where they can find the defibrillators.

Deputy headteacher Mr Peter Wood said: "After installing our own defibrillator at the school we decided to branch out into the community.

"After discussions with the store's owner it was decided it would be the perfect place for people to access the defibrillator.

"We are thrilled to be able to serve the community in this way, and it is a great example of how our school and local businesses can work together."