HEART attack victims in Llangollen will have an increased chance of survival thanks to the legacy of a larger than life hotelier and wine bar owner.

The Welsh Hearts charity has given a defibrillator machine in memory of Gale’s Wine Bar founder Richard Gale who passed away earlier this year following complications after heart surgery.

And thanks to a £200 donation from Llangollen Food Festival the life-saving machine will now be housed in an especially designed cabinet, fixed on the outside wall of the wine bar, and will be available for anyone to use in an emergency.

Father-of-three Richard was a staunch supporter of the food festival which this year is being held at Llangollen Pavilion on Saturday and Sunday, October 13 and 14.

Gales was reputed to be the oldest wine bar in Wales and was opened by Richard and his wife, Gillie, in 1977.

He believed the successful wine bars he knew around London could work in North Wales and opened in a property on Bridge Street.

Despite passing on the reins to son Pip he was there every day - bringing “joy” to all who came through the doors.

Pip, who runs the 16-bed hotel and restaurant as well as four holiday cottages and two four bed apartments in the town, is proud the defibrillator is now available for public use.

He said: “Dad passed away earlier this year following heart surgery at Broadgreen Hospital in Liverpool. He had an amazing extra nine years of life due to the brilliant staff at Broadgreen following earlier heart surgery but this time there was nothing they could do.

“I can’t say how much we as a family appreciate all the staff at Broadgreen. He died on the operating table but they did everything they could for him and gave him those very precious extra years.

“Dad had a long association with the charity Welsh Hearts and their director, Sharon Owen would come and stay for every Eisteddfod week, she was a big friend of dad's.

“Dad was a big supporter and always collected funds for Welsh Hearts. He was always coming up with one fundraising scheme or another and had the charity’s collection tins on the end of the bar.”

Pip is delighted the Llangollen Food Festival committee came up with a £200 donation which has helped pay for the defibrillator housing case so the machine can be made available to everyone in the town.

He said: “We have raised the rest and now the machine will be available to everyone and positioned on the outside wall of Gale’s Wine Bar. It’s really important to us that the machine is available to all and not just patrons of the wine bar or hotel guests.

“I am really proud to have the defibrillator machine in dad’s memory; it’s an amazing and a very appropriate legacy.”

“I really hope the defibrillator is never used to be honest, but if needed it’s there and there for everyone.”