POLICE have dreamt up a new use for the licence disc holders that every car carries on its windscreen - one which could save lives.

The switch from paper tax discs for cars to the new electronic version has meant that the familiar transparent plastic envelopes have become obsolete - but PC Dave Wise and colleagues have thought up a new use for them.

They have come up with an emergency contact information and medical alert card.

PC Wise said: "This is a really useful replacement for your tax disc. if a driver is involved in a collision or has a medical emergency whilst at the wheel, a first responder will have easy access to vital medical information and we can quickly contact next of kin.

"The way the disc folds in on itself means all the information is kept private until needed by emergency services personnel."

It can be easily printed out, cut out, filled in, folded up and placed in the holder.

"We will be linking in with local ambulance and fire commanders to make them aware of this initiative so they can be on the lookout for these emergency contact discs," said PC Wise.