RETIRED residents in a tiny Oxfordshire village have become lifesavers to help their ageing community in an emergency.

Nine villagers from Upton — all over 60 — have become community first responders.

South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) has trained them to respond to life-threatening emergencies – including heart attacks and cardiac arrests – in the village, which is home to 400 people, before an ambulance arrives.

Their quick-thinking actions could help to save the life of anyone over the age of two.

Responder Mike Brown, 70, who is also chairman of the parish council, said it was a good older residents were being trained to help each other.

He said: “It was a parishioner who made me aware of the scheme, and I’ve taken it up and managed to get the villagers together. It seemed a good idea for this village. All nine of us are retired and have a lot of retired friends and neighbours.

“It could be one of them or us who needs the help. We hope other villages in the area will follow our lead.”

Volunteers are alerted by the ambulance service and can be on the scene of an emergency within five minutes, carrying £1,600 worth of equipment – including a defibrillator and oxygen.

They take it in turns to be on-call and can also attend incidents in Blewbury and West Hagbourne during the day.

Responder Mike Weston, 60, of Fieldside, Upton, said: “I haven’t had any calls yet. It’s a good life skill and an opportunity to give something back to the community.”

There are almost 350 responders in 60 teams across Oxfordshire.

Dick Tracey, responder manager for SCAS’s Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire division, said: “Upton is one of the highest ratios of people to responders we have.

“What’s great is that they came to us and said we want this in our village. I think it’s brilliant.”

To find out about being a community first responder call Mr Tracey on 07967 017169.