PUPILS will be given potentially life-saving advice as part of plans to add CPR to school curriculums.

All young people in Reading will be taught how to administer the technique, as well as the purpose of defibrillators and basic first aid.

The move has been welcomed by organisers at Project Heartbeat, who have been working with the Chronicle to get more defibrillators installed across the town.

Julie Phillips from Cardiac Science, said: “Encouraging a new generation of youngsters to recognise what a defibrillator is and feel comfortable using it in an emergency – and knowing how to administer CPR – will also make a massive difference.

"We welcome the plans to push a life-saving agenda in schools across Reading.”

The Chronicle partnered with Project Heartbeat to get a defibrillator installed in the Broad Street Mall last year.

Every year there are around 30,000 out of hospital sudden cardiac arrests across the UK, but sadly less than 1 in 10 survive.

The proposals, due to be rolled out in 2020, are part of the Department for Education's plans to strengthen teaching of health, sex and relationships education.