SPORTS enthusiasts have welcomed the latest move which has seen two public defibrillators donated to fitness sites in southern Oxfordshire.

The life-saving machines have been gifted to Queenford Lake in Berinsfield where many people spend there time open water swimming or getting stuck into water sports.

The other defibrillator has been donated to South Moreton Boxing club, near Didcot, on hand for the sportsman involved with the club.

It comes as part of local finance firm Denham Wealth Management's community commitment to support local groups.

Denham Wealth Management senior partner Daniel Denham said: "We are delighted to have installed public access defibrillators at Queenford Lake in Berinsfield, home of the Oxford Wet n Wild aqua park, and South Moreton Boxing Club.

"Although we know that regular exercise helps strengthen the heart and lowers the risk of cardiovascular problems over the long-term, strenuous exertion does increase immediate risk for heart attack and sudden cardiac arrest.

"We hope that having permanent defibrillators on site at the lake and gym will give peace of mind to those who use the facilities."

The two new public defibrillators will go towards Oxfordshire's efforts to make sure nobody is ever further than eight minutes away from one of the life-saving machines.

The Oxford Mail supported a campaign, led by former South Central Ambulance commander Dick Tracey who was on a crusade to bring about more public defibrillators in the county.

From the start of his campaign in 2014 he has helped grow public defibrillator numbers to more than 500 across the county.

Around 30,000 people each year suffer a sudden cardiac arrest, and it can affect anyone from young children to adults.

Without the correct treatment, cardiac arrests are often fatal and figures from the British Heart Foundation reveal only one in ten victims survive.

But the chance of surviving a cardiac arrest jumps from six per cent to 74 per cent if a defibrillator is used within minutes to help regulate the patient's heartbeat..

Mr Denham said: "We are pleased that as a business we can donate something to our local community that could one day save a life.”