THE Greater Manchester Ambulance Service is set to launch a new tracking and data system.

It will allow controllers to pinpoint exactly where an ambulance will be at any time.

The system uses satellite technology which was pioneered by Ronald Reagan's famous "star wars" called AVLS (automatic vehicle location system). The chance to push the start button will be won by one lucky pupil in a Greater Manchester schools' competition for nine to 11-year-olds.

The winner will be the child who comes up with the best drawing of "an ambulance of the future".

Schools throughout Greater Manchester have been receiving details of the competition and entries will have to be submitted by June 7.

There will be 10 regional winners and the overall winner, who will win a grand prize from Waddington games, will push the start button on June 18.

Regional winners will receive a certificate from the ambulance service and a prize from Waddington.

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