The Dorchester Business Improvement District (BID) has been funding the provision of the latest technology defibrillators in town for more than 10 years now.

Improvements in technology mean that units have become much easier to use by the public in the event of a medical emergency, such as a heart attack.

The latest Zol defibrillators that the Dorchester BID has purchased talk the user through how to use them, which means anyone should be able to use them in an emergency.

Phil Gordon, Dorchester BID project director said: "The defibrillator units that we have funded for Dorchester have already saved lives which is wonderful.

"One unit that was requested by, and part-funded by the businesses in Durngate Street was used to save a life just days after being installed which was fantastic news!"

Four brand-new Zol defibrillators are now being delivered and installed at Dorchester Post Office, Goulds Household, The Royal Oak and at the concierge office in Brewery Square.

Dorchester's BID is one of the longest established in the county and works by businesses paying a percentage of their rateable value into the BID in return for services and initiatives which might attract people to use them.

A ballot is currently underway asking those who pay a levy towards the organisation whether it offers value for money. This means that the defibrillator initiative and more than 20 other projects that are all funded by the businesses of Dorchester, via the BID, could be in jeopardy at the end in July unless those eligible vote for it to continue.

Other things that the BID funds and organises that could come to an end include town ambassadors, subsidised parking vouchers, H=hanging baskets and flags, Christmas trees and lights, and event sponsorship including for the Dorchester Christmas Cracker, Thomas Hardy Victorian Fair and the Dorchester Literary Festival.

BID chairman Neil Strudwick commented: "I feel that it's really important that Dorchester keeps its BID status as, without this kind of support to the business and local community, a tough trading climate in the high street will get much harder.

"I urge businesses to get their yes votes in now or risk losing this valuable resource in town which spends so much of its time promoting Dorchester and helping its businesses."