AMBULANCE crew on stand-by duty beside a busy section of the Great North Road in North Yorkshire are never short of refreshments.

For they are being provided with free tea and coffee - compliments of the nearby McDonald's restaurant.

Northallerton ambulance station supervisor, Paramedic Simon Longley said: "We do a lot of stand-by duties at Leeming Bar because of its close proximity to the A1, and it's nice to be able to grab a quick cuppa in the lull between calls.

"I contacted the local McDonald's to see if we could set up an account for teas and coffees and was bowled over when the manager, Ashley Stericker, said 'please, be our guests'.

"So now if we call at this McDonald's - it's free tea and coffee - and a big 'thank you' to Ashley and his staff."