ALCESTER residents are being asked their views on the controversial plans to merge the ambulance service.

Warwickshire County Council and Coventry City Council have joined forces to urge people to make their views known about the proposed ambulance supertrust.

A web questionnaire has been set up by Warwickshire County Council for residents to air their views.

Comments will be sent to the Strategic Health Authority, which will be responding to the government proposals.

Councillor Jerry Roodhouse, chairman of Warwickshire's health committee, explained the two councils would like people to tell them any benefits or concerns they may have about merging the ambulance trusts in the West Midlands regions.

He said: "We also want to know if people actually know that this consultation is being conducted by the Department of Health. This is a big decision and we want to be sure that local opinion is being seriously considered."

Under the proposals, the ambulance trusts in Coventry and Warwickshire, West Midlands and Shropshire, Staffordshire and Hereford and Worcester, would merge into the world's largest ambulance trust - serving a population of 5.5 million people.

The consultation period runs until March 22. View the document online at www.wmssha.nhs.uk/Corporate/SHAConsultation/Consultationpapers.htm

The questionnaire can be accessed at www.warwickshire.gov.uk/consultation