AMBULANCES across the area covering Wyre Forest met their target of responding to three-quarters of life-threatening calls over the past year.

Hereford and Worcester Ambulance Service NHS Trust also responded to 95 per cent of non-life threatening calls within 19 minutes - another Department of Health-set target successfully achieved.

The trust received more than 53,000 emergency 999 calls between April, 2004 and last month. That was up 10.4 per cent - from 48,000 - the previous year.

Chief executive, Russell Hamilton, said: "This achievement is the direct result of considerable hard work and dedication of all the staff at the trust. From call takers to mechanics, paramedics, technicians and managers, everyone has had a part to play in the success of the trust this year."

He added: "We are among only a handful of ambulance trusts in the country who have achieved both targets and I am very pleased to reassure the people of Herefordshire and Worcestershire that we are able to provide a responsive service, despite the challenges of serving a rural population.

"But, while we are pleased with the results, we will continue to find ways to improve the service we offer."

The performance targets will contribute to the trust's star rating, which will be announced during the summer. Last year, it received a maximum three-star rating.

There was further good news for the ambulance trust, with its accreditation to level two of the ambulance risk management standard - ARMS - for achieving 100 per cent in four of eight areas assessed.

Among areas examined were infection control, risk assessment and management, incident reporting and management and employee competence.

Assessors said they were unaware of any other trust or primary care trust - PCT - in England and Wales having recorded a better performance.

They also indicated they would to share some of the good practice seen during their visits with other trusts.

Mr Hamilton said: "The ambulance risk management standard is the national NHS quality standard for risk management.

"It means that having gone through a thorough and rigorous accreditation process, the trust is able to reassure its patients and staff that it has been independently assessed and can demonstrate its commitment to managing and minimising risks."