THE first three minutes after someone suffers a heart attack can make the difference between life and death.

It only takes a few minutes for irreversible brain damage to occur if a person has stopped breathing or their heart has stopped and it is the first people on the scene who offer victims their best chance of survival.

In Swindon, a group of volunteer nurses from Princess Margaret Hospital have made it their mission to provide basic training for as many people as they can, by setting up the town's first Heartstart group.

The group, part of a national initiative co-ordinated by the British Heart Foundation, aims to promote and develop emergency life support training throughout the UK.

Nurse David Bowles was the catalyst behind the initiative which has just been launched in Swindon.

"There really is a need for this sort of knowledge in the community. We are looking to talk to schools, colleges, community groups or anyone else who is interested in following this course."

The five-strong group is offering two-hour courses to provide a basic grounding in the fundamentals of life-saving techniques, with a focus on rescue breathing and cardio-pulmonary resuscitation using so-called Annie dolls.

"The techniques we teach are pretty straightforward but you have to have the confidence in your own ability to use them.

"We always say it is better to have a go in an emergency situation, because you have nothing to lose. And if someone has been taught the correct techniques, they have a very realistic chance of saving someone's life."

Anyone interested in taking up the offer of life saving training can contact the group on Swindon 346633. Groups should be of 20 or fewer.