A TEAM of dedicated volunteers helped to save lives at 400 emergencies last year.

Every time 999 is dialled in Knutsford, North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) alerts paramedics and the town's first responders.

Knutsford Community First Responder Trust was set uup in 2002 and became the first of its kind in the UK to work alongside emergency crews.

Now they desperately need more volunteers to keep the vital 24/7 service running.

Trust chairman Adrian Rees said: "Because we are local and ready to go we are almost always there before the ambulance.

"It is the difference between life and death.

"Our role is to start treating a person and keep them alive until paramedics arrive and take over.

"The ambulance service does their best but they are very stretched and can sometimes take 45 minutes."

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Tatton MP Esther McVey is hosting a recruitment day at 3pm on Saturday, September 11 at Jubilee Hall, Stanley Road in Knutsford alongside senior staff from NWAS and volunteers.

Anyone interested can come along.

"We are delighted that Esther is supporting us, she knows how important community first responders are," said Adrian. "We will lose lives in the community which we have been saving for the past 20 years if we don't build up the team."

New recruits don't need any medical background, just a full clean driving licence.

"It is stressful," said Adrian. "We are there at the very beginning and have to deal with relatives who are extremely agitated and worried. We calm them down.

"We have our own dedicated and fully equipped vehicle. It is kept at Knutsford Fire Station."

Volunteers will be trained by paramedics on a four day course, usually over two consecutive weekends, and then buddy up with experienced team members.

"All we ask is for people to do one four hour shift a week," said Adrian. "We have volunteers in full time jobs such as teachers and others are retired.

"Some have been with us since day one whilst others have served for 10 years.

"Volunteers will receive very detailed training so that they know technically what to do. The only thing we can't train is the emotional side.

"We are looking for very special people who are able to take charge in an emergency and not panic. Just do what they are taught to do, the best they can."

For further details contact Adrian Rees on 01565 631324 or 07501 128571.