A defibrillator has been returned to a high street opticians after it was reported missing by a former first responder.

The defibrillator was reported missing from outside D Glick Optical in High Street, Wickford on Thursday December 28.

Hugh Hunter, 69, a former community first responder of Irvon Hill Road had reported the missing equipment.

However, since its return, it has come to light the defibrillator was not stolen, it was in fact used for a suspected emergency.

Mr Hunter said: "It was found and given to the police who returned it to the Glicks Opticians.

"I enquired with East of England Ambulance and I asked if there was any record of a call, they said they could not give any information so then they said to report that was lost or stolen, so that is why I launched an appeal to find it.

"It is a good bit of news that it has been returned."

Mr Hunter was told the equipment had been returned yesterday.

He said it had been discovered in a shop nearby to the opticians.

Mr Hunter added that the defibrillator was not needed for the incident.