ARSENAL and England footballer Jack Wilshere has become an ambassador for first aid charity St John Ambulance.

In a series of short online films recorded near Hitchin, Stevenage-born Jack learns five basic first aid skills from St John Ambulance first aid trainer Clive James.

The clips show how to cope with choking, bleeding, a heart attack, someone who is unconscious but breathing, and someone who is not breathing.

Jack said: “In football, without training you cannot win the game. Without first aid training, you cannot save a life. I want to encourage more people to learn first aid so that they can be the difference between life and death.

“We’re lucky on the pitch that we have first aiders on the sidelines to help if there is an emergency. When you’re out with your mates or at home with your family, you haven’t got that back up, so it’s important that we all have the skills to help others.”

Jack is urging people to text LIFE to 85010 for a free pocket first aid guide, and you can watch Jack in action with Clive at www.facebook.com/SJA

“I’m delighted to be an ambassador for St John Ambulance and support this campaign, and I hope everyone texts for a free guide,” Jack said.

Sue Killen, chief executive officer of St John Ambulance, said: “We are delighted to have Jack on board to help spread the message. Up to 150,000 people die each year when basic first aid could have been the difference.

“We can’t rely on other people to have these skills - everyone should take the responsibility to learn first aid themselves. We can all be the difference between a life lost and a life saved.”