IT MAY not have set a new world record, but it still has the potential to save thousands of lives.

That is the message from BBC Oxford and St John Ambulance who set out to get 1,000 people to simultaneously learn life-saving skills at the Kassam Stadium on Saturday.

The current world record is 917.

The Oxford effort fell short of its target, with about 500 people making it to the Grenoble Road ground.

But according to Malcolm Boyden, who presents the station’s morning show, each one of them is a hero.

He said: “It’s great that people have come out here today and have learned something which has the potential to save lives.

“They are all heroes, each and every one of them.”

The record breaking attempt was a key part of BBC Oxford’s Be The Difference campaign, which aims to raise £60,000 to buy a new 4x4 Land Rover for the life-saving charity.

Among those learning skills such as resuscitation, what to do when someone is choking and how to dress a wound, was Joe Anders, from Wantage.

The 72-year-old grandfather of three said he first heard about the drive on Mr Boyden’s show.

He said: “I signed up on the same day.

“I just think it is a wonderful thing to be able to do even at my time of life.”

Sitting close by was Sue Greatbanks, from Harwell, near Didcot.

Ms Greatbanks added: “I have never taken part in something like this before.

“I feel I have learned a lot.”

Nationally about 150,000 people die each year because of a lack of basic first aid.

But Beth Elger, who led the crowds with the 45-minute demonstration, said that should not be the case.

Ms Elger, a St John Ambulance schools liaison officer, said: “Everyone of these people here today now has the potential to go out there and be able to save a life with simple first aid. I think everybody should know some basic first aid training.”