DROITWICH Spa residents have a better chance of surviving a heart attack thanks to a new volunteer scheme set up in the area.

Hereford and Worcester Ambulance Service NHS Trust launched the Community First Responder scheme in the town on Wednesday, January 4.

Volunteers have received training in life-saving skills, including the use of a portable defibrillator, so anyone suffering from a heart attack or associated life-threatening condition can receive immediate treatment. Volunteer Harry Yale 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 the ambulance arrives. People should still call 999 in the normal way, but the ambulance service will be able to send someone from the local community as well as an emergency ambulance."

The Community First Responder schemes benefit from funding from the Big Lottery Fund through the British Heart Foundation and the Department of Health as part of a £6-million national programme.

Mid-Worcestershire MP Peter Luff joined the ambulance service and volunteers at Droitwich Spa ambulance station in Friar Street to help launch the scheme. Mr Luff said: "When someone suffers a cardiac arrest, their chances of survival drop by up to ten per cent for every minute that passes. The local volunteers will be able to provide rapid treatment."