HEART attack victims in Stourport and Bewdley have more chance of surviving after the setting up of a new volunteer scheme run by Hereford and Worcester Ambulance Service Trust.

Health campaigning Wyre Forest MP, Dr Richard Taylor, was on hand to help launch the Community First Responder schemes for the two towns.

Five volunteers have received training in life saving skills, including the use of a portable defibrillator, so anyone suffering from a heart attack or other life threatening condition can receive immediate treatment.

Volunteer, Paul Gittins, said: "We work on an on-call rota from home. If anyone collapses in our area, we can get there very quickly and provide care in the few minutes before the paramedics and ambulance arrive.

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

Dr Taylor said the survival rate for heart attack patients dropped by up to 10 per cent for every minute that passed without treatment.

"The local volunteers will be able to provide rapid treatment, which will increase the chances of the patient surviving and having a good quality of life. I am confident that the volunteers will make a real difference to their communities," he added.