A LEADING charity has praised the "life-saving decision" to install defibrillators at Hampshire's household waste recycling centres.

Hampshire County Council has confirmed that all 26 tips operated by the authority will be equipped with the devices following the death of truck driver Martin Lucas.

Mr Lucas, 60, of Hythe, was dumping garden waste at the Marchwood tip on May 23 when he suffered a massive heart attack.

Estelle Stephenson, survival programme lead at the British Heart Foundation, said: "We're delighted that the county council has taken the life-saving decision to install defibrillators at household waste recycling centres.

Daily Echo: Martin Lucas died after suffering a heart attack at the Marchwood household waste recycling centre.Martin Lucas died after suffering a heart attack at the Marchwood household waste recycling centre.

"Tragically there are more than 30,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in the UK each year but just one in ten people survive.

“Someone immediately performing CPR, and having a defibrillator in an easily accessible place, can really make the difference between life and death.

"To help more people feel confident in stepping in to save a life, we developed RevivR, our new web-based CPR training tool," she said.

"In just 15 minutes, you can learn how to give CPR and practise the correct steps of defibrillator use. The tool gives you personalised, clear feedback on your chest compressions, to ensure you’re prepared in case of the ultimate medical emergency.”

Daily Echo: Hampshire County Council is planning t install defibrillators at tips across the county.Hampshire County Council is planning t install defibrillators at tips across the county.

The decision to install defibrillators at tips has also been welcomed by Cllr David Harrison, who represents Marchwood and Totton South.

Posting on Facebook he said: "Very sad to hear of this fatality. Defibrillators are becoming increasingly available in our communities. It's a very great shame one wasn't on hand for this gentleman but it has led to them being fast-tracked at all waste sites now."

Tributes to Mr Lucas have also been posted on social media.

One person said: "Martin was a lovely guy whose friendly and helpful nature touched the lives of very many people at Ashlett Sailing Club and I'm sure many other places besides. He'll be greatly missed by all."

The county council was already planning to provide defibrillators at its recycling centres.

But Mr Lucas’s partner, Mandy Hobart, of Hythe, said the scheme had been fast-tracked in the wake of his death.