THE new Willie Clarke Visitor Centre at Lochore Meadows has been kitted out with a defibrillator, thanks to the Cowdenbeath Rotary Club.

The fundraising efforts at their annual Ladies Day event last year will be put to good use now that the life saving equipment is available in the park.

Park manager Ian Laing said: “Defibrillators save lives and this is an appreciated resource for our park.

"Of course, it’s a resource that we hope we’ll never have to use but it will undoubtedly be a valuable asset for us and the people who use the park.”

Rotarian Gerry Grieve added: “The highly successful Ladies Day event, will be held again this year, on May 6 in the Glen Pavilion in Dunfermline.

"It is organised by Rotarian Marie Shevas, other Rotarians and volunteers.

"The Cowdenbeath Rotary Club supports initiatives in the Ballingry, Lochore, Glencraig, Cardenden, Lochgelly, Kelty, Cowdenbeath and surrounding area.”

Gerry added: "Lochore Meadows is a very busy facility at all times of the year but especially in the spring and summer, people come to the the Meedies from all over the country from all age groups.

"There are so many high level activities taking place on the loch and on the grassland at the Meedies that we felt it was a good thing to have a very mobile defibrillator available.

"When you have so many people taking part in sporting activities such as rowing, cycling and running as well as even just relaxing on a nice day, heart issues can crop up without warning.

"The Rotary Club hopes that this machine can back up the equipment already available to the park staff."

The Meadows, with its new Park Centre and the golf and football facility, could well have a record year for visitors.

There are several major sporting events set to take place there as well as the Rockore Music Festival.

There will also be a major official opening event to mark the new Centre being named after former local councillor Willie Clarke.

For more information about Lochore Meadows Country Park, visit www.lochoremeadows.org