The Medibike paid for by Oxford Mail readers has proved its worth in just five days, writes Emma Henry.

With paramedics Simon Holbrook and Eddie Webb, the 10,500 bike has already covered hundreds of miles.

At the weekend, the bike did 160 miles each day and clocked up impressive times, including Abingdon to Didcot in five minutes.

The bike was especially useful on Friday afternoon when the paramedics went to the aid of a collapsed man in the centre of Headington. The roads were congested, but the bike was able to get to the man quickly and safely.

There have also been several occasions over the past few days where the Medibike paramedic has reached an emergency call first.

On Thursday, the motorcycle medics reached a scene in just nine minutes from Headington to Tetsworth. The casualty was treated at the scene and the ambulance crew was not needed, saving them a lengthy journey. The bike was also used to escort an ambulance from The Broadway in Didcot to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford on Friday.

Medibike project manager Dave Banham said: "The bike has really proved its worth already. As far as we're concerned, the clock stops when we've got a paramedic there and it ceases to be an emergency."