Porthleven is “buzzing with enthusiasm” following the arrival of life saving equipment in memory of a former teacher.

Two defibrillators have been installed in the port and a third should hopefully be on its way, as a legacy to retired maths teacher Mike Edwards who died on May 4 this year following a series of heart attacks – the last of which proved fatal.

His wife Joyce started a defibrillator memorial fund in his name, for which £600 was raised in a retiring collection at his funeral.

Thanks to a flood of donations, two outdoor defibrillators have been supplied by the Ronnie Richards Memorial Trust, costing just under £2,000.

One has been placed outside Boots and the other at the Atlantic Inn, at the opposite end of the port.

Many of the businesses surrounding the harbour have since sent their staff to free training courses being run through the Mike Edwards Fund. Richard Smith of Devon and Cornwall Police, Tim Grattan Kane of Heart Start Helston and Ian Tessier from the British Heart Foundation are giving their time as trainers, free of charge.

After the last training session, held at the Apostolic Church in Porthleven, the 27 trainees learnt how to save lives using CPR (chest compressions) and a defibrillator.

With the use of short films and hands-on training dummies, they were able to gain knowledge on how to offer first aid when dealing with a heart attack.

Mrs Edwards said: “Facebook pages soon became full of comments on how enjoyable and worthwhile the evening had proved to be.

“Parents brought their children to learn alongside the adults. Word is spreading, about the importance of learning these life saving skills.”

This has all been possible thanks to the donations that came “pouring in” from the “generous” business people in Porthleven.

Mrs Edwards added: “We are well on our way to achieving enough funds for our third defibrillator, which will be sited outside The Ship Inn, by the harbour.”

The congregation of the Christadelphian Hall in Church Row, Porthleven will be holding a coffee morning on Tuesday, October 28 from 9am until noon aid of the Mike Edwards Fund, with all welcome.

For details on the free training contact Joyce Edwards at Priory Cottage, Prospect Place, Porthleven, TR13 9DS or email joyed@freenetname.co.uk or place contact details in the Mike Edwards Fund box in the Post Office, Fore Street.