AN unsung local hero has been shortlisted for a major national award.

First Responder David Mitchell has been named as a finalist in the Scottish Ambulance Service Awards Volunteer of the Year category.

David looks after all 11 public access defibrillators in Largs and its surrounding towns, commits many hours to responding 999 calls and helps deliver public awareness and CPR training sessions in the community.

The 45-year-old's efforts will be recognised at a gala ceremony at the National Museum of Edinburgh on 21 November.

David says: "I was totally shocked and surprised - it is lovely to be nominated.

"I have been in the First Responders since 2016. I joined because I wanted to give something back to the community and had been keen to get into the ambulance service.

"It was recommended to me that I should look at the responders, which is a voluntary group in the town."

The community organisation reacts to life-threatening emergency calls and are despatched by the ambulance service. They attend cardiac arrests and strokes and are often the first on the scene until an ambulance becomes available.

David is also responsible for the regular maintenance and upkeep of the public access defibs in Largs, Fairlie, Skelmorlie and West Kilbride.

He said: "My role is to ensure that they are always working and do a proper check once a month to make sure the batteries and equipment are all working. I also check the cabinet to ensure it is not damaged and make sure there are no water leaks in the cases as some of them are in quite exposed places."

David also does fundraising charity work with his wife Roslyn for Calum's Cabin in Rothesay and has got involved in the Kiltwalk charity where he helps by volunteering at various events.

The couple live in Waterside Street and have three boys, Kyle, Aidan and Daniel.

Insurance worker David says he is proud to volunteer for the responders.

He added: "We are a really good team, a self-funded charity, and the people of Largs have always been very supportive of our work."

David is also a member of the Largs Community Resilience team, which tackles emergency incidents from flooding to missing persons searches.

He said: "That is another group I am proud to be involved in."

First Responders colleague Thom Williamson told the News his pal would be a worthy winner.

He said: "We are delighted that David has been shortlisted.

"He goes above and beyond the call of duty and commits so much of his own time to helping the public and fundraising for good causes. We all wish him the best of luck."