PEOPLE in Pershore and Evesham have more chance of surviving a heart attack, thanks to a new volunteer scheme set up by Hereford and Worcester Amb-ulance Service NHS Trust.

Four volunteers from Evesham and seven from Pershore have received training in lifesaving skills, including the use of a portable defibrillator, so anyone suffering from a heart attack or other life-threatening condition in those towns can receive immediate treatment. Volunteer Tony Haines said: "We work on a 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 the 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."

Chief executive of the ambulance trust, Russell B Hamilton, said: "More than 10,000 people each year suffer a cardiac arrest in a public place and we are determined to work with local communities to provide those in our area with a world-class service. While an ambulance will arrive at 75 per cent of all life-threatening calls within eight minutes, a cardiac arrest can occur at any time in any place."

Mid-Worcestershire MP Peter Luff, who attended the launch of the scheme, said 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 very grateful to our volunteers, and I know they will make a real difference," he added.