HOW would you like to save someone's life?

That is the invitation from a new scheme, which is being set up in Selby villages to provide vital first aid in medical emergencies like heart attacks.

The Osgoldcross Forum - a registered charity which helps communities in the area south of Selby - is launching the First Responder Defibrillation Scheme, together with the Yorkshire Ambulance Service and British Heart Foundation.

Under the scheme, volunteers living locally will be trained as first aid responders, who can be on call to go to medical emergencies in the vital first minutes before paramedics arrive.

They will be provided with special defibrillation equipment.

This is used to give electric shocks to the chests of patients who have suffered heart attacks.

Emma Scott, community defibrillation officer for the Yorkshire Ambulance Service, said: "Community first responders make a valuable contribution to their communities, particularly in the many rural and outlying areas across the county.

"We know that in many medical emergencies the first few minutes are critical.

"If effective treatment can be performed within those first few minutes, lives can be saved and disability reduced.

"This is especially true for heart attacks and injuries that have caused someone to lose consciousness."

The Osgoldcross Forum has already attracted support for the scheme by putting up "Who, Me?" posters and fliers.

The posters say: "Yes, you could save someone's life - someone you may know in your community.

"It could be a relative, a friend or just someone you nod to when you meet in the street.

"Why not let us train you to prevent someone from dying; the Osgoldcross Forum is looking for volunteers to train as first responders."

Anyone interested in volunteering as a first responder will be asked when they would be available to operate the lifesaving equipment.

Volunteers are asked to phone the Osgoldcross Forum for further information, on 01977 662270.

A similar scheme has recently been launched in the Pickering area.

Eight volunteers from the Upper Derwent area, near Dalby Forest, stepped forward to form a community first responders group.