THIEVES have stolen a piece of lifesaving equipment from a Dorset Hospital.

The Zoll defibrillator was taken from Wareham Hospital at some point between 8.30am on Tuesday and the discovery of its absence this morning.

Purbeck Police posted a light-hearted message about the theft on Facebook, saying: "These items are expensive and the particular defib is worth in excess of £1,000.

"It cannot be used at will and does not deliver shocks at random therefore making it useless on a night out or for effectively dealing with a snoring partner, so the hospital would very much like it back."

Contact Dorset Police with information on 101 quoting reference 7:141.