A lifesaving first aid service being piloted by fire fighters in Romsey received a double boost this week.

A curry night on Tuesday, organised by town mayor Dorothy Baverstock at Naz's Cuisine in The Hundred, raised £635 - enough cash to kit out Romsey Co-Responders' car with a satellite navigation system.

However, when Sub-Officer John Hurle went to Garmin Europe, on the Abbey Park Industrial Estate, to buy the sat nav system the firm decided to donate the equipment free of charge. "It was a real surprise," said a delighted John.

Hilary Reynolds, Garmin's UK Sales and Marketing Office Co-ordinator, said: "The Co-responders are helping local people out so we thought it was a good cause to support. Who knows they might be called to help some of our staff here in Romsey."

And if they do they won't get lost. Once an address is typed into the top of the range Streetpilot system literally calls out directions to the driver taking him to the door, explained Hilary.

The donation means the Co-Responders now have over £600 in their coffers for other equipment.

Sub-Officer Hurle said that Romsey's mayor had been "brilliant" in her support for the scheme.

In turn Mrs Baverstock praised the support restaurateur Naz Islan had given to her fundraising efforts.

"This is the second dinner Naz has held for me. So far he's helped me raised £1,200 in total for my mayor's charities and the co-responders," said Mrs Baverstock

On Tuesday evening more than 40 guests, including Romsey MP, Sandra Gidley, enjoyed dinner at Naz's.

One the 'guests' was the Co-responders Renault Clio car, with its distinctive chequered livery, which was brought to the restaurant for diners to inspect.

Romsey is one of three stations in the county trialling the Co-Responders scheme in which specially -trained fire fighters provide medical treatment to members of the public until an emergency ambulance arrives.

Hampshire Ambulance Service has provided training to 11 Romsey-based fire fighters in basic life-saving skills as well as the use of defibrillators and oxygen.

The Co-Responders go to incidents when, due to their location, they are able to provide a faster initial response. The Co-Responders do not replace emergency ambulances, but can give early medical treatment until an ambulance arrives.

Co-responder Kelvin Tongs said the said the Streetpilot would be a great help when responding to emergencies.

"It's going to save us time and assist us to go straight to the property. As fire fighters we know the area well but it's difficult to keep abreast of all the new developments."

He said it was also difficult to find some properties in rural locations, after dark, if the house name was not clearly displayed.