ST John Ambulance is running free first aid sessions at locations across the borough as part of the charity's Save a Life September initiative.

Volunteers from the leading first aid charity set up at Dudley's Russells Hall Hospital on Monday (September 14) where they taught lifesaving skills to visitors and non-clinical staff as part of the annual awareness month.

And further sessions will take place later this month.

Emma Elgerton, community training co-ordinator for St John Ambulance in the West Midlands, said: "First aid is for everyone and it’s easy and fun to learn.

"We believe everyone should have first aid knowledge – and the more people that take part in Save a Life September, the higher the chance that someone will be on hand to help when it’s needed most."

Paul Bytheway, chief operating officer at Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust which runs Russells Hall, said: “Save a Life September is a fantastic campaign and by supporting it we can give our patients, visitors and non-clinical staff the opportunity to learn invaluable skills for life."

Save a Life September sessions will also be held at the Churchill Shopping Centre in Dudley from 9am to 5pm on Friday September 25 and at Merry Hill's Mummy Mornings event from 10am to midday on Tuesday September 29.

To find out more about the campaign, which has been running for five years, check out the charity's new video featuring comedian Rufus Hound by logging onto www.sja.org.uk/savealifeseptember and to find out more about the work of St John Ambulance, including details on how to become a volunteer, visit www.sja.org.uk or call 08700 104950.