Staff at Brighton police station have had life support training

The heart-starting machines will be distributed to 25 police stations.

Having a defibrillator nearby in the event of a cardiac arrest can increase chances of survival by a third, the British Heart Foundation said.

Sussex Ambulance officer Joe Marshall said research had shown the machines "really were life-savers".

We hope it will make a real contribution to saving lives Chief Constable Joe Edwards

The defibrillators, which will be maintained by the ambulance service, have been paid for with National Lottery funding and by the British Heart Foundation.

One of the first machines has gone to Brighton police station's front office, where first-aid officers have had a three-hour training session in basic life support.

Sussex Ambulance Service said the machines could be used by police, ambulance staff who may need them for an emergency call, or a member of the public supported by ambulance control staff.