A NEW film, which could potentially save lives up and down the North West, has been released by an ambulance trust.

North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust (NWAS) launched a film which teaches people how to save a life in three minutes.

‘Agent Lifesaver’ shows people the difference between a heart attack and cardiac arrest and how to perform an effective cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

It also shows people how to use a defibrillator and give the best chances of survival to someone in a cardiac arrest.

The film will be debuted in a number of secondary schools across the region as part of Restart a Heart Day 2017.

Volunteers from NWAS, St John Ambulance Service, regional fire services and other healthcare partners will aim to train at least 20,000 pupils in basic lifesaving skills as part of this nationwide initiative on October 13 and October 16.

A NWAS spokesman said: "Currently less than one in ten people who suffer a cardiac arrest go on to make a recovery in the UK.

"This figure could significantly increase if more people had the confidence to attempt CPR.

"That’s why the service is encouraging people of all ages to give the new film a watch.

"You never know – it might just save a life."

The video can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azmpvgIdjAA