AMBULANCE chiefs have defended their decision to rorganise an innovative emergency response project covering the Dales.

Last summer, Tees East and North Yorkshire Ambulance Service (Tenyas) heralded a new era for patients in rural North Yorkshire when it launched the Yorlife scheme, at Castle Bolton.

At the time, the idea was to train local volunteers so they could cope with accidents and medical emergencies until paramedics arrived.

They would even be equipped with high-performance "blue-light" vehicles so they could be at the scene within minutes, as well as having life-saving equipment, including defibrillators.

Other ambulance services indicated they would be keeping a close eye on the pilot project in Wensleydale and mayhave adopted the system if it proved successful.

However, Tenyas chiefs have now confirmed they intend to adapt the project, renaming the volunteers Community First-Responders.

Instead of driving a powerful emergency vehicle, volunteers will be trained to cope with emergencies in their own villages.

Now some have expressed disappointment.

"They have failed us," said Redmire volunteer Phil Oliver. "I first started talking to the ambulance service three years ago when I was asking about a first responder group of six to eight people with a defibrillator- but they came back to us and said they wanted to set up Yorlife.

"We have done exactly what we were asked to do, without any cost to them, but now they are seeking funds for a paramedic at Leyburn. We are in total disarray."

However, Tenyas director of patient services Tim Lynch said the new system would mean help was even closer to hand in small rural communities.

"This was always a developing project and we have adapted the original concept in order to be more responsive to local needs and to provide better patient care," he said.

"A major advantage over the original concept is that the scheme will be village-based, and able to tap into a considerable bank of local knowledge. Those operating the schemes will know the local geography, addresses and many of the people.

"However, we would stress the idea is not to replace the ambulance service but to support what we do by getting urgent attention to a patient before the arrival of an ambulance. Vital early intervention helps towards the chain of survival.