A PUB has raised thousands of pounds to fund a community defibrillator - after a man collapsed with a bleed on the brain and was saved by two heroes outside the building.

The call for a new defibrillator to be put on the wall outside The Waterloo in Weymouth came after a man nearly died outside the pub, but was luckily saved by the actions of a heroic pair who ran to his side and performed CPR to revive him.

Dawn Axe, manager of The Waterloo, ran out of her pub after Andy Lane suddenly fell off his motorcycle in the St Johns Court car park on August 12.

As she left the pub, her friend and taxi driver Ricky Cleverley joined her as they saw the biker was unresponsive.

Both CPR trained, the pair took it in turns to perform chest compressions in a bid to revive him.

Dawn and Ricky carried out 20 minutes of chest compressions to revive him but he stopped breathing again, meaning the pair had to resume CPR.

Minutes later, the emergency services arrived where they were able to take over treatment before taking him to Southampton General Hospital.

Andy woke up in hospital a fortnight after his ordeal and has since been gradually recovering, but still suffers some mobility issues.

Following the life-saving intervention, The Waterloo Pub took it upon themselves to raise thousands of pounds to install a defibrillator for the community, with any additional funds being donated towards The Wessex Neurological Centre at Southampton General Hospital.

Dawn said: "We managed to raise £2,443 for the defibrillator and all of the money that is left over is being given to the Southampton Hospital's neurological unit. That's where Andy was taken. I'm actually taking him up there for a check up soon."

Dawn has kept in touch with Andy and says he has now become a good friend of hers and comes to the pub regularly.

She added: "He's recovering. He still can't drive at the moment but he can't wait to get back on his motorbike."

On November 6 a number of local bands performed at the pub with a few entertainers and a raffle was held, all in a bid to raise more money for the defibrillator.

Dawn said: "The day was great, we had lots of local bands who kindly gave an hour of their own time to help us raise the money.

"The community has been absolutely amazing, and me and Ricky, we couldn't believe how fast it grew.

"The day went on from 2pm to midnight and the pub was absolutely rammed the whole time and people were so generous. It was just mad, we really didn't expect it.

"We are trying to order the defibrillator at the moment and were hoping to have it before Christmas. We want to get it installed here as soon as possible.

"It's a vital piece of equipment. Myself and Ricky are first aid trained, but with a defibrillator it's so easy because it talks you through what to do so anybody can use it.

"We think it's so important that people know CPR. Just that one basic skill could save someone's life, and in Andy's case it thankfully did."

Money for the defibrillator was also raised directly through their Go Fund Me Page and a special drag night hosted by local performer Sequined Sherill on October 23.

The Waterloo pub is now raising money for the Butterflies Children's Disability Fund which helps disabled children living in Dorset afford special equipment which is not funded by local authorities. The pub hosts a quiz night every Tuesday with all money for entry going towards the local cause. The weekly quizzes will be resuming at the pub on Tuesday, January 11.