BOLTON'S first citizen equipped himself with first aid skills to enable him to administer lifesaving treatment to victims of road traffic accidents.

Mayor Cllr Frank White underwent a two-hour "Save a Life" course as part of the national campaign Cut Flowers aiming to reduce death caused by road accidents.

The initiative is designed to raise awareness of the crucial role first aid can play in the minutes immediately following a road accident.

In 2004, 3,221 people were killed in road traffic accidents in the UK including 94 in Greater Manchester. Research has shown that in up to 85 per cent of cases where road accident victims could have survived, basic first aid administered at the scene could have made the difference between life and death.

Cllr White was trained by professional first aider David Longworth, who is the centre organiser of the Swinton-based Red Cross branch. Although his was a two hour intensive course, the charity is calling on people to spend just five minutes learning the basic but vital skills that could save a life.

More information on how to "Save a Life" can be found on www.redcross.org.uk/firstaid where there is also information on other road safety tips.