Volunteer members of the public are to go behind the wheels of new ambulances and respond to 999 emergency calls in a unique scheme launched in the region yesterday.

The revolutionary "Yorlife" Community Response Scheme being pioneered in Wensleydale, North Yorkshire, is believed to be the first of its kind in the UK.

Designed to improve 999 response times in rural areas, the scheme will see a network of specially trained volunteers being recruited.

If it is a success it could lead to copycat schemes being set up nationwide.

Launched at Castle Bolton in Wensleydale today, the Yorlife scheme will train volunteers to drive high-speed Volvo V40 Estates and rugged Vauxhall Frontera 4X4s to the scene of medical emergencies and road accidents.

Once they are there they will use their basic lifesaving training to stabilise ill or injured patients until a front-line ambulance is on the scene.

The scheme is an admission by Tees, East and North Yorkshire Ambulance Service bosses that it is virtually impossible in rural areas to meet the Government's target of reaching life-threatening incidents within eight minutes.

Medical director, Dr Colin Melville, said he believed lives could be saved if fully-equipped "blue-light" vehicles driven by volunteers could be mobilised close to the scene of incidents.

He revealed that when he checked on Tuesday the nearest front-line ambulance was 35 minutes away from Castle Bolton.

TENYAS expects that most of the new community ambulance vehicles will be "principally" crewed by paramedics and other ambulance staff living in that particular area.

Their are also plans to invite local GPs, nurses and health visitors to join the scheme.

But the service will also rely on "civilian" volunteers who are willing to be called out to emergencies in their area.

Strong support for the scheme came from Dr Adrian Dawson, a GP in Leyburn, who said he wanted to offer his "whole-hearted support."

John Green, chairman of Preston-under-Scar Parish Council said: "This is really good news for our area."

Sue Gall, chairman of Redmire Parish Council, said she was interested in volunteering.

"I am a trained nurse and I think there is a real need in this area. It's a great idea."

While ambulance staff support the scheme there is some concern about allowing civilians with two weeks training to drive powerful 999 vehicles. Steve Forsyth, Unison spokesman for TENYAS, said: "We feel it should just be an ordinary car."

North-East Ambulance Service spokesman Paul Liversidge said: "If it is successful we would have talks to see whether we could do something similar."