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Life-saving heart defibrillators have been fitted at every city leisure centre following the death of a talented teenage swimmer.

Sophie Konderak, 16, from Knighton, died after becoming short of breath during a training session with the City of Leicester Swimming Club at Braunstone leisure centre in 2009.

It later emerged she suffered from an undiagnosed genetic disorder which had caused her heart rate to rise.

An inquest heard that early defibrillation would have restored her heart rate to a normal level, but the leisure centre did not have a defibrillator.

Sophie's father John said: "Had there been a defibrillator in the leisure centre at the time, Sophie could have survived. So I welcome this news."

Leicester City Council has now spent almost £11,000 to install the devices at each of its leisure centres.

Swimming club head coach Alex Dawson said: "This equipment could potentially save someone's life in future. However, it's sad that it wasn't in place back in 2009.

"Sophie was a talented and well-respected athlete who was well-known throughout the Leicestershire swimming community, and this equipment could have given her a chance of survival.

"Hopefully, it will prevent a similar tragedy from happening again."

Medics told an inquest, in February 2010, that a defibrillator shock should have been administered within three to four minutes after she first collapsed, and could have increased her chances of survival.

The inquest also heard how a lifeguard administered two bouts of CPR as she thought Sophie had stopped breathing twice, but did not check the teenager's pulse because she had not been trained to do so.

Mr Dawson added: "The defibrillators are important, but it's essential the council ensures lifeguard training is adequate."

A report on the issue, which is due to go before councillors next week, says: "At the coroner's inquest, the lack of such equipment being available was highlighted as an issue which, while it may not have contributed to the unfortunate death of a young girl on this occasion, may have future impacts.

"Since the equipment has been provided in October 2011, no incidents of this type have occurred."