A NEW drive to encourage people to learn CPR skills has been launched...with The Proclaimers playing their part in the bid to save lives.

An advert featuring TV presenter Carol Smillie performing CPR to the rhythm of the chart-topping twins’ famous hit I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) aims to make more people aware of what they should do if someone suffers a cardiac arrest.

Health Secretary Shona Robison launched the campaign at the intu Braehead shopping mall, in Renfrew, this week.

She said an estimated 1,000 lives could be saved if the target of having 500,000 people able to carry out the lifesaving technique by 2020 is achieved.

Paramedics treat about 3,500 cardiac arrest patients a year but only one in 13 survive, with any delay in treatment time linked to a decline in the likelihood of a positive outcome.

For every 60 seconds that passes before CPR is carried out, the chance of survival drops by 10 per cent.

The new advert has been created by the Save a Life for Scotland (SALFS) partnership, which includes the emergency services, community groups, the government and others.

Ms Robison hopes that using a hit by The Proclaimers will help to ensure the campaign “resonates with a Scottish audience.”

She added: “CPR saves lives and this film is a great way to learn those vital skills.

“The latest statistics show around half of adults in Scotland are confident giving CPR and, to date, more than 200,000 people across the country have learned CPR since 2015.

“This is testament to the work put in by SALFS partners, who have brought these lifesaving skills to people across the country.

“The advert will help us to reach the target of having 500,000 people by 2020 with CPR skills and that will literally save lives.”

Ms Robison stressed that, if people don’t intervene when someone has a cardiac arrest, it could be too late by the time paramedics arrive.

She said: “The other important message is to phone 999, so there is a call handler on the other end of the phone who can support you while you are administering CPR.”

Lisa MacInnes, director of SALFS, added: “We hope that 500 Miles will become the CPR anthem for a generation.

“This familiar tune will remind us that CPR is the right thing to do and the beat helps us remember the right rhythm for chest compressions.

“Someone who is having a cardiac arrest needs help. You can be the one to help buy them time until the ambulance arrives and save a life.”