RESIDENTS are joining forces to launch a radical first aid initiative aimed at supporting the ambulance service.

Dozens of people have come forward to serve on the Congleton First Responders Group, one of the first of its kind in Cheshire.

Group members will undergo intensive first aid training to enable them to deal with a range of incidents and situations.

They will not deal with road accidents or violent assaults, but will attend heart attack and stroke victims, diabetic collapses and non-violent injuries.

The group hopes to obtain a car to use when responding to a call, and members would have the same equipment as used by paramedics.

They would work on a rota basis, and the service would operate within a five-mile radius of Congleton town centre from 7.30am to midnight.

"The main aim of the group is to get the right person to the patient at the right time to improve their chances of survival," said Len McGarry, who initiated the scheme.

"We're aiming to save as many lives as possible, to help the paramedic service, and to make the community a safe place to live."

Some 26 people have expressed an interest in serving as First Responders, who will undergo 40 hours of training by a community paramedic.

The group would be provided with a pager, mobile phone and two-way radio linked to the HQ of Mersey Ambulance Service, which has licensed the group.

Anyone interested in joining please ring 281002.