This service is soon to be set up in Duns and Greenlaw and will provide assistance to the Ambulance Service.

Community First Responders will be called out by the Ambulance Service to provide on site assistance until the ambulance arrives.

The Duns First Responders should be up and running by the end of next month.

Community First Responders are trained in the use of a defibrillator and to apply Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), use of Oxygen masks and basic first aid equipment, all of which they will carry in a backpack to the scene of the call out.

This is a voluntary self-funded service and new members, donations or assistance of any kind is welcomed.

Duns Rotary Club have sponsored new jackets for the recently formed Duns First Responders Group.

Responder Group chairman, Ian Lothian, Ambulance Service Group Co ordinator David Dickson and First Responder member Dave Prentice attended a recent Rotary meeting to outline the role of the First Responders Group and to collect the sponsorship from the Rotary Club President Andy Lester.

Mr Lester said: "We are delighted to help The First Responders Group who are volunteers who may provide that vital lifeline until paramedics arrive at a medical emergency."