A woman whose friend died after a cardiac arrest last Christmas Eve is urging workplaces to fit defibrillators.

Claire Bennett, from Maidstone, works for Solar Gates in Boughton Monchelsea and asked for the medical kit to be installed at their premises.

The production supervisor is hoping other businesses will also consider funding and fitting a defibrillator so that more are available if one is ever needed.

She has always been first aid trained as she previously worked as an RAF electronics technician, police officer and ambulance worker.

Claire said: "For some people, a defibrillator could be the difference between life or death.

"If more workplaces are able to host them, then there will be a higher chance of one being close by if it is needed."

They can be used by anyone as they come with instructions, as well as pictures and voice commands.

'If I hadn’t had the defibrillator and had only done CPR then I always would have wondered if she could have survived'

She continued: "It won’t shock someone if they don’t need it, so even if you’ve never had training, or feel unsure, just get hold of a defibrillator, get it on them and have it ready – those could be precious and vital moments until paramedics arrive.

“Sadly, I wasn’t able to save my friend but I know that I couldn’t have done more to save her – if I hadn’t had the defibrillator and had only done CPR then I always would have wondered if she could have survived.”

Managing director of Solar Gates, Neil Sampson, said that the company said 'yes' straight away when Claire asked to install the equipment.

He said: “We’re behind her in encouraging other businesses across our area and wider afield to also install them, because the more there are, the closer one will be if it’s needed to save a life."

The company raised the money for the £980 defibrillator from their scrap metal and it is now installed on a wall outside, ready for a member of the public to collect should it be needed.

It is available 24/7 on foot but vehicle access is restricted overnight and on Sundays.

Mr Sampson continued: “We’re pleased we have one – we hope it will never be used but it is ready if it is needed, for our staff here or someone else.”

If you’re in an emergency situation and need a defibrillator, call 999 and speak to the ambulance service who will tell you, from their register, where the nearest one is.

If it is locked in a case, they can also give you the code to open it quickly and easily.