A heart attack survivor has spoken of his pride after residents raised more than £1,000 in three months to buy a defibrillator for the village.

Keith Ross has suffered two heart attacks in ten years and moved to Mayland nearly two years ago to ‘slow down’.

Along with wife Sandra, they run Blackwater Bar and Bistro, where the new defibrillator will be stationed after villagers raised money to fund it.

On Thursday villagers attended a session with ambulance staff on using the defibrillator to help save lives.

Mr Ross, 46, who used to work as head chef for West Ham United Football Club, said: “There will be 24-hour access to the defibrillator.

“It’s on the marina, anybody and everybody has access to it.

“Hopefully it will help save lives.”

Villagers raised the money through a series of charity events including football matches, golf tournaments and raffles.

They were inspired to raise money for the life-saving machine after the death of an 81-year-old man from a heart attack in a Tillingham pub in April.

The defibrillator cost £530 and remaining funds went to the Essex Air Ambulance.