LIFE-SAVING equipment has been placed within an East Ayrshire village's disused telephone box.

The Community Public Access Defibrillator (CPAD) has been installed inside the refurbished box in Lugton thanks to the committed residents and specialist companies who have freely given their support, both financially and with goods and services.

On Saturday, Willie Coffey MSP officially opened the kiosk. Alan Brown MP was also in attendance with members of the community to celebrate the ribbon being cut.

The project was run and managed by Lugton residents Martha Brindley and Lizann Shuttleton under the auspices of the Dunlop and Lugton Community Council.

Martha told the Evening Times: "Way back in March of this year we set off on this project when we discovered that the community council had taken ownership of the kiosk from BT last year for the nominal sum of £1.

"We decided, in our wisdom, to convert the old phonebox into a defibrillator unit.

"To this end we needed cash. Our fundraising started with the aim to raise approximately £1,600 to install the unit. However, things spiralled as we realised this was insufficient to cover all of the costs."

Taking stock of the project it was realised the box needed re-glazed, and repainted from top to bottom. As well as that it needed an electrical supply permanently attached.

With support from local businesses, residents, East Ayrshire Council and Neilston and Uplawmoor First Responders, the community council raised a whopping £4,500.

Martha added: "This covered all of the costs for the kiosk and has left a sum lodged with Dunlop and Lugton Community Council, ringfenced for ongoing costs and expenses.

"There is also a small sum set aside to give to the first responders to help with their ongoing good work.

"There are still some dedicated people working to finalise the fitting out of the box with the addition of the backboard for the defib unit, shelving for the community library and an upgrade for the lighting inside the box.

"On a personal note, I am truly overwhelmed and humbled by the support received from everyone involved."