THE Spa's ambulance service is geared up to reach emergencies even faster, thanks to a new paramedic car.

Hereford and Worcester Ambulance Service has bought a Ford Focus Estate for Droitwich as part of a £1.3m investment package in the two counties.

The vehicle carries all the lifesaving technology found in an ambulance as well as satellite navigation equipment and mobile phones.

It is based at the town's fire station, in the Saltway, and is the first of its kind in Droitwich. The car aims to speed up response times to incidents.

The Government target for ambulance services is for them to respond to at least 75 per cent of all life threatening calls within eight minutes.

An ambulance service spokesman said: "They cannot transport stretcher cases but they will respond to emergencies such as road accidents to give lifesaving treatment at the scene - before an ambulance arrives if necessary."