A heartfelt gift that could save lives has been donated to a Weymouth school by the county's Freemasons.

Over £2000 worth of defibrillator equipment has been given to Budmouth College by local Freemasons lodges and chapters. The potentially life-saving device has now been installed at the entrance to the school building and is available for use by the public.

Graham Glazier, leader of Dorset's Freemasons, said: "As Freemasons we believe in playing a key role in our communities and give time and money to charitable ventures. It's an honour to be able to supply this machine to the school.

"A defibrillator gives a high energy electric shock to the heart through the chest wall to someone who is in cardiac arrest. It's an essential lifesaving step in the chain of survival.

"This defibrillator is the latest in a succession of similar donations by Dorset Freemasons who have placed public access defibrillators on all 17 Masonic buildings across Dorset."

The cost of the Defibrillator was £2,398.80 with donations from a number of Lodges and Chapters in the local area as well as contributions from the Provincial Grand Master's Discretionary Fund.

The Lodges and Chapters who donated were Portland Rose Croix, All Souls No 170, Dorset District Rose Croix, Quintus Lodge No 8118, All Souls Mark Lodge No 126, Portland Royal Arch Mariners No.133, Portland Lodge No 1037 and the Craft and Royal Arch Provinces of Dorset.