A primary school has been donated a mobile defibrillator to help “save lives” after a pupil underwent two major heart operations last year.

The mother of the female student at Kings Langley Primary School, in Common Lane, Kings Langley, had been fundraising to buy the portable piece of medical equipment, when One Stop Doctors Clinic stepped in to help.

Staff at the clinic, which opened its first of eight clinics in Hemel Hempstead last September and offers same-day GP appointments, believes all school should have a “life-saving” defibrillator.

Sharon Wilon, head of Clinical Services at One Stop Doctors said: "We are very proud to donate this defibrillator to Kings Langley School.

“Mobile defibrillators are life-saving equipment and, ideally, all schools would have one.

“The use of a defibrillator and CPR within the first five minutes of a cardiac arrest can improve survival rates from 6 per cent to a staggering 74 per cent, so the importance of having direct and immediate access to a defibrillator should not be undervalued.”

Head teacher Mrs Harris added: "We are really grateful for this donation and thank One Stop Doctors for their generosity."

According to statistics from the British Heart Foundation, 190 people a day die from heart attacks in the UK, with leading charity Cardiac Risk in the Young revealing in a report in February that 12 apparently fit and healthy young people aged 35 and under die suddenly each week from cardiac arrest caused a previously undiagnosed heart condition.

More than 270 children also die every year after having a cardiac arrest at school.

One Stop Doctors has listed the following symptoms to be aware of, which might indicate a heart problem, for children or adults:

• You faint when partaking in physical activity - and this is a regular occurrence

• You experience chest pain during exercise

• You experience dizziness or abnormal shortness of breath during exercise

• You have a family history of heart problems - especially of a family member under the age of 40

If you have any of these warning signs, you should speak to your doctor about your symptoms.