A DEFIBRILLATOR which went missing from the Launceston College playing fields last month has been returned.

Southgate Colts Football Club coach Paul Chidley noticed that the Powerheart defibrillator was missing on Saturday, December 23, and mentioned it to Launceston Tennis Club’s assistant secretary, Jenny Worth who then told the Post what had happened.

As it turned out, caretakers at Launceston Town Hall had picked up a defibrillator in early December.

A Launceston Town Hall spokesperson said: “A defibrillator was found by the side steps of the town hall on the morning of Sunday, December 3, the day after Heart FM’s Christmas Market.

“It was put in the lost property and we chased up leads with Heart FM but no-one knew anything about it.

“Then last Wednesday (January 3) we were sorting out the lost property bit when we read the piece in the paper.

“Although the dates didn’t match, the description did. So we contacted Jenny and she came down and had a look and realised it was the missing one. We think that someone had probably stolen it thinking it was worth something. But once they realised it was a defibrillator they just dumped it by the town hall side steps.”

Jenny was delighted that it had been found and said: “It’s great news that the defibrillator has been found. I got a call from the town hall and went down there and collected it. I have no idea as to why someone would steal it in the first place but we’re glad it’s back. Hopefully it’ll never have to be used, but it’s good to know that it’s there if needed.”