Ashby de la Zouch Town Council has issued an appeal for help after a defibrillator in Huntingdon House was vandalised.

The Council posted an online photo of the damage today (Tuesday), saying it has been 'vandalised beyond repair' and will be 'costly to replace'.

A message with the photo says: "We are absolutely disgusted to see that the defibrillator on Huntingdon House has been vandalised beyond repair and the vital lifesaving equipment has been stolen.

"The CCTV will be reviewed but if anyone has any information we would appreciate it.

"This will be costly to replace."

The defibrillator was positioned in a prominent place in Market Street, at the front of Huntingdon House. It is the third time town centre defibrillators have been targeted.

It was one of two installed in the town just under six years ago by the Town Council in conjunction with funds raised by the three Rotary Clubs of Ashby, and was considered a real community effort.

At the time, Town Council leader, Cllr John Coxon, said: "These devices have a proven track record of helping to save lives in public places.

The defibrillator at Huntingdon House was vandalised 'beyond repair'. Photo: Ashby de la Zouch Town Council

"They are easy to use and do not require any specialist training. The defibrillators that we have chosen have a screen display and are intuitive to use. They will be a real addition to safety in the town."

A spokesperson for the three Rotary Clubs of Ashby said in 2017: "We are delighted that as a result of working alongside Ashby Town Council, potentially life- saving equipment is now installed at two locations in the town centre.

"Money raised by our Rotary Clubs at local events was used to purchase the defibrillators."

A defibrillator is a device that gives a high energy electric shock to the heart through the chest wall to someone who is in cardiac arrest.

This high energy shock is called defibrillation, and it is an essential life-saving step in the chain of survival.

• Anyone with information is urged to call 01530 416961.