INTERESTED parties are invited to the Grayrigg & District Community First Responder Group's AGM this week at the Coronation Hall.

The group, which was formed two years ago under the umbrella of what is now the North West Ambulance Service, offers life support during medical emergencies until the arrival of an ambulance.

In rural areas this can sometimes take a long time and the team has often been on the scene 15 to 20 minutes in front of the ambulance.

Chairman Peter Robson said: "After training in basic life support and the use of automated defibrillators we went live in April 2006. Since that time our members have responded to over 20 incidents after being paged by ambulance control, who call us at the same time as despatching an ambulance."

The group undergoes regular training and reassessment and meets once a month.

Mr Robson added: "If anyone is interested in joining our group they would be very welcome, Previous experience in first aid or medicine is useful but not necessary as training will be given."

The AGM starts at 7.30pm on Friday December 14 at the Grayrigg Coronation Hall.