A potentially life-saving defibrillator has been installed on the Prince of Wales Pier in Falmouth thanks to donations from residents, businesses and visitors.

The town’s Specsavers store was at the centre of last year’s fundraising campaign with staff coming up with various ways to raise the £1,250 needed to buy and install the piece of equipment.

Paul McGrane, store director of Falmouth Specsavers, said: “We have put a great deal of effort into fundraising for the defibrillator as we wanted to give something back to the community. The support from staff members and our customers has been amazing and we would like to thank everyone for their support. 

“Many times, particularly in the summer months the town is closed to traffic and we thought that having a defibrillator available may say a life.”

Store manager, Nick Turelo, added: “Towards the end of 2014 a few staff members undertook Heartstart training at the Falmouth Fire Station. This enabled staff to learn how to use the equipment in an emergency and has provided them with the confidence to respond if there was to be an emergency.”

Town manager Richard Gates said: “It is fantastic that the Falmouth Specsavers team have raised this money with financial support from the community and Falmouth Town Council. I would like to thank

Fuseright who have undertaken the electrical installation of the defibrillator at no charge.

“We will also be looking at other locations if more money is raised in the future by the community or other organisations.”

The project was assisted by a public defibrillator scheme developed by the local charity Coast Medic. The capital equipment costs were substantially discounted and the ongoing maintenance, support and training is included free of charge.