LARGS First Responders say they are 'here and ready to help' following fears the team had left the town.

The News previously reported local concerns over ambulance response times and the presence of the Largs First Responders.

However the volunteer unit says it is still very much active and can respond to emergency calls in under five minutes.

With a squad of 15 trained volunteers working in shifts to cover the area, they are reassuring the public that if they receive an alert from the ambulance service they will be on the scene.

The volunteers are dispatched to all emergencies in the area except for road traffic collisions and industrial accidents.

Volunteer of 15 years, James Bertram, said: "We cover from Skelmorlie up to West Kilbride and our average response time is four and a half minutes.

"We have someone on most of the time, however, whilst I would absolutely love it, we are not a 24/7 operation as we are volunteers.

"We are all trained by the ambulance service to deal with heart attacks, strokes and cardiac arrest, incidents where time really does matter.

"The ambulance service decides what calls we go to and alerts us through out radios.

"The volunteers on duty go about their normal day but will have the car and radio, so as soon as they get an alert they will respond straight away.

"The ambulance service can see where we are, so often when we get the alerts and can get there quicker than them."

Running as a charity, the group rely on volunteers and donations to survive.

A spokesperson for the Scottish Ambulance Service said: “The group plays a vital role in the chain of survival and help us to save many lives by providing support in the crucial early minutes before an ambulance arrives.

“The fact we are saving more lives than ever before is testament to the care, compassion and dedication of our staff and volunteers.”

James added: "We would love to welcome and encourage more people to be volunteers.

"It is a really rewarding thing to be able to help people at a time when they or there families are feeling very scared or panicked.

"Seeing peoples faces as you appear on scene as they relax a little knowing that help is on hand, is a good feeling.

"Of course some of the scenes you appear at are not very nice but it is satisfying knowing you can help.

"As long as you have a drivers license you can volunteer it doesn't matter what age or gender you are."

The first responders have also helped secure 13 defibs on the mainland and make sure they are kept in good condition.

They also offer classes on how to use the life-saving devices.