Heart attack victims could be treated by volunteer lifesavers driving high-powered rapid-response vehicles.

The plan is aimed at cutting ambulance response times to rural areas in Teesside and East and North Yorkshire.

The volunteers will receive medical and driver training.

But an ambulance workers' union says the use of volunteer drivers is "fraught with danger".

We are worried about inexperienced drivers causing accidents while responding to emergency calls

Ambulance union spokesman

The Volvo V40 and Vauxhall Frontera cars will be equipped with life-saving equipment.

The new service will be volunteer-based, with a maximum of 40% of its crews made up of existing paramedics and ambulance staff.

Mark Weatherhead, general secretary of the ambulance union Apap, said he was in favour of community first responder schemes in principal.

But he said: "What we do not advocate however, is the use of high-speed cars, equipped with audio and visual warning signals being driven by members of the public with limited driving experience to supplement the ambulance service response to calls."

An Apap spokesman added: "It is fraught with danger.

Volunteers will give first aid at the scene

"What we are worried about is inexperienced drivers causing accidents while responding to emergency calls.

"These vehicles should only be at the disposal of experienced front-line ambulance staff."

Tees, East and North Yorkshire Ambulance Service said the scheme would plug gaps in its 4,500-square-mile area.

A spokesman denied public safety would be put at risk.

He said volunteers would get the same three-week accredited driver training courses as emergency ambulance staff.

Urgent help

They would also receive 40 hours of face-to-face medical training as well as on-the-job training.

He said: "The trust is doing everything possible to ensure the safety of the volunteers and of the public.

"This is all about harnessing the enthusiasm and skills of local communities in order to get urgent help to patients, so they have the best chance of survival and recovery."

The scheme will begin in the Wensleydale, Hornsea and Flamborough areas of Yorkshire.