MORE than three-quarters of ambulances in Worcestershire and Herefordshire responded to life-threatening calls within the eight-minute target time last year.

The announcement is a massive improvement for the service, which had only managed to reach 57.3 per cent of calls within the allotted time in the previous 12 months.

Figures released today showed over past year, the service reached 76.2 per cent of "category A" calls within the target time.

Crews met the 19-minute target time for "non life-threatening" calls in 96.7 per cent of cases.

The results make Hereford and Worcester Ambulance Service NHS Trust one of only nine out of the country's 32 to hit the targets.

Acting chief executive Linda Millinchamp, said new technology introduced in April ensured crews had hit their targets - despite a 10.7 per cent increase in 999 calls.

"When someone in the two counties faces a life threatening situation and calls the ambulance service, they can now expect help far more quickly," she said. "Staff at the ambulance service are justifiably proud of the service they offer, which is clearly among the best nationally."