A CAMPAIGNER has spoke of his delight after witnessing the installation of defibrillators on Ryanair flights first hand.

David Makinson was on a flight to Portugal with his wife when he noticed one of the potentially life-saving devices on board.

Mr Makinson set up a petition calling on all airlines to carry defibrillators following the inquest into the death of Davina Tavener.

The 47-year-old mother of two from Heaton, who was found in an 'unresponsive' condition after going to the toilet on a Ryanair flight and died.

Mr Makinson knows of the benefits of defibrillators first hand, because he was born with a complex congenital heart condition and relies on an implanted cardiac defibrillator which will restart his heart if he suffers from a potentially fatal heart arrhythmia.

Ryanair pledged to install defibrillators on its aircraft last year following a consultation with its customers.

Tracey Garde, who is the chairman of Bolton ICD Support Group and Defibs4Bolton and a matron at the Royal Bolton Hospital, recently appeared alongside Mr Makinson on an episode of BBC's Rip Off Britain in a report about defibrillators on aircraft.

Mr Makinson said: "I had a lovely conversation with a flight attendant last week who kindly allowed me to photograph her with the AED on board and, importantly, during the flight. She also confirmed that cabin crew had received training for AED use and CPR.

"The flight attendant I spoke to on board was delighted by the development, having witnessed failed attempts in the past to resuscitate passengers using CPR only. It does of course also now mean that the cabin and flight crews are also safer than they were previously, though she was far to gracious to mention that.

"I am relieved that something positive has come from a tragedy."

Among the UK's top 10 airlines, now only Flybe, Jet2 and Scottish airline Loganair do not have defibrillators on all aircraft.

Flybe, the UK's fourth biggest carrier, said its routes are predominately domestic and short haul so flights would be able to divert to a nearby airport relatively quickly.