AN app containing details of community defibrillators across the Wharfe Valley and the rest of the region has been launched.

It maps all 1,288 so-called automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in the county.

Behind the initiative is Yorkshire Ambulance Service, which says the app will enable people to familiarise themselves with the location of their nearest lifesaving device.

Paul Stevens, head of community resilience, said: "There has been a staggering increase in the number of AEDs across Yorkshire and this app plots all of them.

"The app is not for use in an emergency. In the event of someone suffering a cardiac arrest you should still call 999, and you will then be told the location of your nearest AED and the code needed to access it.

"However, we would encourage members of the public to proactively use the app so that they can be prepared for an emergency situation.

"We also hope that communities which don't have a defibrillator will consider purchasing one via the various funding streams available."

The Save a Life app, which is iOS and Android compatible and free to download, uses GPS to show the location of the nearest defibrillator to the user.

It also contains videos demonstrating how to carry out CPR.

Communities interested in buying an AED should e-mail dave.jones@yas.nhs.uk.

Anyone who knows of an AED not included in the app is asked to e-mail aed@yas.nhs.uk.