RESIDENTS from Evesham and Pershore have more chance of surviving a heart attack, thanks to a new volunteer scheme set up by Hereford and Worcester Ambulance Service NHS Trust.

Mid Worcestershire MP Peter Luff joined the Ambulance Service and volunteers on Tuesday to launch the Community First Responder schemes for the two towns.

Four volunteers from Evesham and seven from Pershore received training in life skills, including the use of a portable defibrillator, so anyone suffering from a heart attack or other life threatening conditions can receive immediate treatment.

Volunteer Tony Haines said: "We work on an call rota from home. If anyone collapses in our area we can get there quickly and provide care in the few minutes before the paramedics and the ambulance service arrives.

"People should still call 999 in the normal way but the ambulance service will be able to send someone from the Vale community as well as an ambulance."

Ambulance service community defibrillation officer Michelle Brotherton trained the volunteers.

They have also been out on a shift with an ambulance crew.

Chief executive Russell Hamilton said: "More than 10,000 people each year suffer cardiac arrest in public places and we're determined to work with the Vale community to provide world class service."

MP Peter Luff said: "I strongly support this scheme. When someone suffers a cardiac arrest, their chances of survival drop by 10 per cent for every minute that passes. The volunteers will provide rapid treatment which will increase the chances of the patient surviving."