An old phone box in Argyll has been kitted out with life-saving equipment to treat heart attack victims.

The traditional red kiosk in Glendaruel has a defibrillator machine which tells the user how to give treatment with step-by-step instructions.

The machine analyses the victim to determine if they are having a heart attack and if required, delivers a powerful but controlled electric shock to restore normal heartbeat.

The equipment, paid for by BT, is kept in a high-visibility steel cabinet and can be opened with instructions from the Scottish Ambulance Service by calling 999.

It is the first phone box of its kind in Scotland and one of only five in the UK, created under BT's Adopt A Kiosk scheme.

Local Girl Guide Heather Munro, 16, came up with the idea during a competition held by 1st Glendaruel Guides to find the best use for the phone box. The group had just gained first aid certificates with the British Red Cross.

Heather's mother, Suzy Munro, a guide leader and member of Colintraive and Glendaruel Community Council, said: "We have a lot of visitors to the village, who come for the walking and our annual Cowalfest, and a number of the local businesses are in the tourist trade.

"We have seen people suffering from chest pain and heart-related symptoms and, sadly, there was a fatality just a few weeks ago. A defibrillator in the centre of the village will be a real asset and could help save lives in future."

The phone box was one of four bought by the community council for £1 each under Adopt A Kiosk because they were no longer needed as working payphones.

BT's Mark Johnson said: "Over the years many people have said that their local phone box was a lifeline. Now that everyone has a phone at home or a mobile that's no longer true. But kiosks fitted with defibrillator machines are genuine assets to their community and could be real lifesavers in the future."

As well as the defibrillator kiosks, boxes have been turned into art galleries, public libraries, exhibitions and information centres.