COMMUNITY first responder schemes in the New Forest are teaming up in order to attract more people.

The groups in Bransgore, New Milton and Ringwood will be joining forces to get more volunteers involved in the life saving schemes.

The unpaid volunteers are trained by South Central Ambulance in basic life support and attend calls in their area until an ambulance can get there.

Penny Smith, coordinator of the New Milton group, said: "Our scheme has really taken off with a great deal of support from the Town Council and local organisations, and we have achieved some notable results when attending patients, which does show that a CFR can really make a difference in the time before the ambulance arrives.

"But volunteers move on, or their lifestyle changes so we always need new people. With about 27,000 residents in the town there is always a need for more help."

Denis Hann who runs the Ringwood scheme said: "A local fundraiser for Ringwood CFR likened us to the RNLI - but on land.

"We have been established now for 4 years and many of our volunteers have gone off to work for the ambulance service as paramedics."

Contact 0844 500 9699 if you are interested or email bransgorecfr@sca-harity.org.uk for more information.