COMMUNITY First Responders will now be entitled to seven hours paid leave a year to allow them to complete their training.

This was discussed at the most recent Leadership Panel at South Ayrshire Council under the Special Leave Policy which contains provisions for paid or unpaid leave.

A Community First Responder is a volunteer who responds to certain medical emergencies in their local area while the ambulance is on its way.

A spokeswoman for Employee and Customer Services said: “Ambulances can have a large distance to cover before they arrive to the person in need. There is a high level of training involved with the group.

"There are several hours of training involved over holidays or unpaid leave.”

Cllr Peter Henderson said: “These people volunteer their time 24/7 and we should offer them training.”