A RAMSBOTTOM retiree is on a one-man mission to save lives.

Malcolm Sweetlove left his role as an assistant headteacher in 2013 and has spent the last three years building up a company that teaches people first aid and resuscitation.

His latest triumph was persuading Tesco to put a defibrillator in its supermarket in Irwell Street, Ramsbottom, and now Mr Sweetlove is looking for other organisations to lend a hand.

The 59 year old, of Windermere Drive, Ramsbottom, said: "I am delighted that Tesco has done its bit.

"Having a defibrillator nearby when someone suffers a cardiac arrest can be the difference between life or death so it is great that more places are installing them," said Mr Sweetlove, who has been a voluntary first-aid instructor for 29 years.

After retiring from leaving his post at Blue Coat School in Oldham three years ago, Mr Sweetlove founded Sweetlove Training, which works with businesses, schools, social groups and health service staff.

Among the organisations he has helped get a defibrillator are Elton Sailing Club, Peel Lions, and the Eagle and Child pub in Whalley Road, Ramsbottom.

Often, such groups must raise around £1,000 to pay for the equipment and some organisations hold raffles and sponsored activities.

Mr Sweetlove said: "You really need to have excellent CPR skills for these machines to be fully effective.

"The Tesco staff I have trained are fully certified in defibrillation for a year following the training.

"My business's emphasis is on making a difference by equipping people with the confidence they need to apply life-saving skills.

"Courses follow the motto 'first aid brought to life,' because I have successfully used all the techniques for real.

"For example, there was a woman who suffered a seizure at the Shoulder and Mutton pub in Holcombe and I got there before the paramedics and put her in the recovery position."

Tesco announced in April it would install 900 defibrillators at its stores across the country.

The firm's UK chief operating officer Tony Hoggett said: "We know that having a defibrillator to hand can mean saving the life of someone suffering a cardiac arrest.

"This initiative has the potential to make a real difference to customers and colleagues all over the country."

Mr Sweetlove is encouraging other organisations or individuals who would like first-aid training, which might be available free of charge, to visit sweetlovetraining.com for details.