TWO defibrillators were officially inaugurated covering villages in the Churcham parish.

The machines, which help regulate the heartbeat, have been installed in a former telephone box on the A40 in Churcham and the King’s Head pub in Birdwood.

The fund-raising was led by members of Churcham Parish Council with clerk Marilyn King sending out letters to 60 businesses and 263 households in Janaury last year.

Mrs King organised a raffle with 32 prizes with seven coming from the Lidl store in Gloucester.

The draw was made by Mrs Jessica Newbery after the parish council meeting in October.

A total of ?4,747 was raised by the raffle and donations along with a £500 grant from the Forest of Dean District Council.

Mrs King added: “There was sufficient money left over to refurbish the telephone kiosk.

“New paint was donated by Baileys Paints of Thrupp near Stroud, and Cllr Robert Newbery took on the task of replacing all of the glass and repainting the kiosk.”