FIRST aid courses will be more widely available in Ilminster thanks to a share of a £5,000 cash pot.

Ilminster county councillor Linda Vijeh has announced her plans to spend her allocation of the health and well-being money, available in August.

She said: “After consulting widely with members of the community I’ve decided, subject to county council approval, to spend the money on Red Cross first aid courses across the Ilminster division.

“I’m still negotiating how I can maximise the money I have available, but I plan to try to fund at least one First Aid for Adults course in each village with three shorter Save a Life courses in Ilminster, one in each school, and a separate Baby & Child course.

“If I’m able to achieve this it means as many as 300 local people will gain the skills and knowledge to help save a life, and will have proper accreditation to go with it, which they can add to their CV.”