EMERGENCY mountain rescue team ambulances will take to Bolton's streets tonight to support the over-stretched paramedic service.

Two Land Rover ambulances manned by six fully trained first aiders will be on call this New Year's Eve from 8pm for a planned eight-hour shift.

The teams of volunteers are due to start a tour of duty at their headquarters off Chorley New Road, before being deployed to ambulance stations. Two other Rescue Team members will remain on stand-by as reserve personnel.

The move comes as paramedics and control room staff battle to contend with a huge increase in 999 calls. On Sunday, the service received more emergency calls than were made last New Year's Eve - a 50 per cent increase on the same time last year. Mountain Rescue member Garry Rhodes confirmed talks had been ongoing all year with Greater Manchester Ambulance Service bosses about possible New Year's Eve support.

He said: "The teams will not be idly sitting by. We have been told we will be called out to assist and support the paramedics.

"In the past we have helped them out when snow has meant their vehicles have been off the road, but that has been very rare. We have never done this before, it's a new thing for us.

"It's a continuation of the growing liaison we now have with the ambulance service, having assisted them throughout the year on a number of incidents. We would imagine they will be on the road most of the night."

An ambulance spokesman stressed an ambulance manager will also travel to emergency calls being dealt with by the Mountain Rescue teams.

He added: "The two vehicles will be on standby to give GMAS support as and when required. They will be mobilised primarily to incidents in the home and will be supported by a manager."

Flu

This week a GMAS spokesman blamed the huge rise in demand on the flu epidemic which has swept through the area, an increase in road traffic accidents and general drunkeness.

Other emergency measures will see Patient Transport Services vehicles being used to cover transfers and casualties with minor injuries.

And a special "field hospital" will be erected in Manchester's Piccadilly Gardens where people can be treated for minor injuries from 10pm to 6am on New Year's Eve.

The unit, to be staffed by GMAS personnel and supported by St John's Ambulance, is aimed at easing pressure on strained ambulance resources throughout the region.

Bob Williams, general manager of paramedic services, said: "We have written to all pub, club and bar owners to give details of the units and we are urging members of the public to think before they dial 999.

"Our resources are under pressure and it would be helpful if those with minor injuries could use the units."

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