A defibrillator bought in memory of PC Andy Hocking will soon be installed at the coastguard station on Pendennis Point after Falmouth councillors unanimously agreed the town council should cover its running costs for at least the next three years.

Norman Trebilcock and Kelly Rowe, from FLEET, the Frontline Emergency Equipment Trust, attended a meeting of the council's finance and general purposes committee on Monday night to tell members that the public access defibrillator had been bought and to request a grant of £354 to cover the annual service charge.

An appeal to buy the life-saving equipment was launched following Andy's death in March of last year. The Arwenack neighbourhood beat manager and father-of-two had collapsed and died in his car while driving around the headland.

A total of £1,689 was raised from donations and FLEET contributed the shortfall of £1,411 to enable the defibrillator to be bought. The charity, though, appealed to the town council to cover the running costs.

Mr Trebilcock said: "There is an annual charge because the PAD is monitored constantly ensuring readiness for use at all times. The people of Falmouth will benefit because the PAD will be available to anyone who needs it in the one area of Falmouth that is more remote than the rest.

"This project is supported by Andy's wife Sally, his colleagues and Falmouth coastguard station who have given permission to have the PAD on their building."

Councillors approved the grant application and went even further by covering the service charge for the next three years after it was agreed the defibrillator was a vital piece of equipment and a good way to honour Andy's memory.

Councillor Steve Gray said: "That (Pendennis Point) is one of the loneliest places you could have a heart attack so I think this is a great idea."

With the necessary funds now in place, arrangements will be made to install the defibrillator along with a set of Andy's memorial footprints below.