A LICENSEE who installed a live-saving defibrillator at his Colchester pub is urging other landlords to follow suit.

Chris Potts, of the Foundry Arms, in Artillery Street, in New Town, started fundraising to buy the defibrillator, after one his regulars was saved by one.

Steve Fursse, 65, from New Town, was working in Cambridge when he had a heart attack.

Two police officers gave him CPR and used a defibrillator mounted on the wall at a nearby church to bring him back to life.

The pub put its own machine on an outside wall in November and nowMr Potts wants to set up a network of defibrillators across Colchester, all based at pubs.

He said: “As pubs, we’ve almost got a duty to do this. We’re at the heart of the community. Had there not been one for Chris he would be dead. The more of them there are, the better.”

The East of England Ambulance Service recently visited the pub to film a new public education video, using its machine.

Film-makers also interviewed Mr Potts and Colchester’s MP, Sir Bob Russell, for the video, which will be sent out to schools and local organisations to teach people how to use defibrillators.

Mr Potts said: “The ambulance service has found people are unsure what defibrillators are and are wary of having to use them. It’s an education thing.”

Mr Potts is meeting other licensees later this week, and hopes to encourage them to install their own machines.

He added: “It is something the pubs will get behind. It would be especially good for pubs out in the sticks in places such as Peldon and Mersea.

“Defibrillators are not hugely expensive.

“They only cost about £1,600.”