A new group has been set up in Millport to plan for emergencies on the island,.

The team has had meetings with Scottish and Southern Energy, and Lesley Jeffrey, civil contingencies officer for North Ayrshire, If required, the Cumbrae Support Team would assist the emergency services - helping the injured and people requiring basic assistance.

This would help for anyone stranded without accommodation, or in an emergency caused by flooding, fire or ferry breakdown, It would also include residents of the island who cannot get to Garrison House due to power cuts or blizzards.

The base for the new emergency support team is College Street, which has been refurbished to accommodate the emergency centre.

A spokesperson for the group said: “We now have a store of campbeds, sleeping bags, first aid kits, cookers, torches, blankets, gas containers, bed rolls, lifejackets and hot water. There are also flasks and generators, and a range of other emergency equipment available.

“The Cumbrae Support Team have all received training in basic first aid, and radio training to assist the emergency services.” The new group will meet on monthly basis for training and is urgently looking for volunteers.

It has been set-up with the assistance of grant funding CCDC, SSE and YESS Ltd (Your Energy Saving Scotland) and all emergency services have been notified At present, the group is setting up a register of “at risk residents” to assist the emergency team in their endeavours.

For more information, or to join the emergency support team, contact Bob Campbell (Coordinator) at 01475 530800 or 07930 115513.