STAFF at Blackwood Miners Institute donned fezzes today as they were presented with a defibrillator from the Caerphilly-based Tommy Cooper Society.

The society is running a campaign to install defibrillators in public places across the borough in memory of the legendary comedian, born in Caerphilly, who collapsed on stage and died in 1984.

Chairman of the society, Tudor Jones, said the idea was born after the group wondered whether Mr Cooper could have been saved if a defibrillator had been nearby during the live broadcast of "Live from Her Majesty's".

Today Mr Jones and his wife Margaret, both 81, presented the new defibrillator to staff at the institute, in Blackwood High Street.

It is the third defibrillator the society has installed in Caerphilly, after they donated one to the town centre’s library and tourist centre.

Mr Jones said: “Last year a group of us in the society thought what if there had been a defibrillator at the theatre at the time which could have given use many more years of pleasure from him.

“But in 1984 the defibrillators were the size of a wardrobe confined to hospitals, not handbag size.

“It’s a bit like an insurance policy. We hope you wouldn’t have to use it but we’d be delighted if something happened and we would be able to do something about it.”

Funds for the £1,000 defibrillator came from the society’s fund, raised through grants and donations. Mr Jones said the society also has some of Mr Cooper’s letters which they can sell on.

Carl Powell, from the Welsh Ambulance Trust, also showed members of staff at the institute yesterday how to use the defibrillator.

He said: “Don’t be scared to use it, it will save someone’s life”.