A CLUTCH of community lifesavers have been honoured by the region's ambulance service.

Endmoor and District Community First Responders and The Barrow Defib Appeal both won golds in the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) NHS Trust's CardiacSmart Awards.

And silver awards went to Askam and Ireleth Community First Responders, Milnthorpe and Heversham Community First Responders, and the Lakes and Dales Co-operative.

Bronze was awarded to the Furness Academy and The Ship Inn at Piel Island near Barrow.

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The awards ceremony was held in Warrington last week to recognise individuals and organisations who have dedicated time to raising awareness of heart health, basic life support and defibrillators in their local communities.

CardiacSmart is part of the 'Chain of Survival Partnership' which is growing the network of defibrillators in public places.

The idea is to get faster help to people who suffer cardiac arrest outside of a hospital environment.

Bob Williams, chief executive of NWAS, said: β€œThe awards encourages people to take action and save the lives of people who suffer from a cardiac arrest in the community.

"I am delighted to publically recognise all those who are working for safe and healthy communities – where we all want to live and work.”