A new mercy team on alert!

They are the newly-formed Droxford First Responders, led by co-ordinator Sue Frampton.

Since its launch last week the 19 strong group, including a financial adviser, teacher and pub landlord, have been on standby to deal with emergencies ranging from heart attacks and strokes to falls.

So far there have been no call-outs in the village for them to swing into action.

But Sue says when they do they will be more than prepared.

"We all feel a little bit nervous because we have not had to deal with our first emergency call yet.

"But we have all undergone training and are looking forward to helping out the ambulance service."

Sue managed to find time to set up the first responders in between juggling her day job as a care manager and looking after her four children.

"I saw something about first responders on television and the next day I saw the Bishop's Waltham first responders appealing for volunteers," she said.

"Droxford really needs something like this. It's very rural and many homes have names rather than numbers making it difficult for ambulance crews to find their way.

"We know all the roads and lanes inside out."

Two volunteers will be on duty at any given time. They will carry an emergency box containing first aid equipment. They will be able to give first aid, deliver oxygen, carry out resuscitation and provide reassurance. In all emergencies, apart from road traffic accidents, each volunteer is paged by the ambulance service and gets to the scene as quickly possible.

There are 16 first responder schemes up and running in Hampshire. Another three are in the pipeline including one in Titchfield.

Keith Boyes, Hampshire Ambulance Service's First Responder Project Manager, said: "Clinical evidence shows people with life threatening illnesses or injuries can lose their life without immediate first aid attention.

"The scheme is one initiative which will make a real difference to the community."