EMERGENCY services are appealing for the public's help in finding their way through the maze of street names and numbers.

As part of a national campaign, people in Bolton are being urged to improve the visibility of their house numbers and names.

The "Is Your Number Up?" scheme has been launched by Prime Minister Tony Blair.

In Bolton, Merseyside, Lancashire and Greater Manchester ambulance services teamed up at Ladybridge Hall to hammer the message home.

Crews used the front entrance of the historic hall to illustrate their message by strapping the foot high numbers 999 to the fence outside it.

Paramedics say they can save vital minutes on the way to an incident if they do not have to spend time looking for house numbers.

John Burnside, Greater Manchester Ambulance Service chief executive, said: "When an ambulance is called, every second counts.

"Finding the house quickly can make the difference between life and death.

"We are asking the public to make sure their house numbers can be seen day or night in the event of an emergency. We can't help them until we find them."

The simple idea came from one paramedic with the Avon Ambulance Service and was taken up on a national level.

Mr Burnside urged householders to step outside and check their numbers as soon as possible.

He said: "It is particularly important at this time of year with the long dark nights.

"People should act as quickly as they can because who knows when they may have to call for an ambulance. We are the front line of the medical service and we want to give the most efficient service we possibly can but we need the public's co-operation on this one."

A website, www.999whereareyou.org, gives details on how people can help. Advice will be posted in health centres, hospitals, supermarkets, buses and schools across Bolton.

Mr Burnside said: "We have the full support of the police and fire service in this campaign and we hope it is something that will capture the public's imagination." Help the ambulance service THE ambulance service has asked the public to stick to the following simple guidelines.

Make your house number large enough to be seen -- at least 80mm or three-and-a-half inches high.

Place the house name or number on a wall or gate post next to the road, rather than on the door.

Ensure the number stands out. Black on white or white on black are the best.

Cut back foliage regularly so that the number is clear.

Encourage and help your neighbours to make their numbers visible.

Shop premises are encouraged to put the street number on their shop fronts.