A defibrillator has been stolen from outside McColl's in Shepton Mallet.

The life-saving piece of equipment was taken between 2.50am and 3.15am on Sunday (February 27).

The defibrillator was fitted with a tracker and it was last tracked moving down the main road before going into the car park. The tracker was then removed and was found smashed up in the bins behind the car park.

The defibrillator program is supported and funded by the South Western Ambulance Charity, and replacing the defibrillator and tracker will cost more than £1,000 (£854.72 for the defibrillator, case, rescue ready kit and spare pads, and around £200 more for the tracker) – vital funds that could have been used to help save more lives.

The ambulance service is appealing for anyone with any information, or any nearby businesses with CCTV that may have captured footage of the thieves to contact Community Responder George Pemble-Vincent by emailing [email protected].

Donations to the South Western Ambulance Charity can be made via its JustGiving page