A Hickling mum has demonstrated the importance of life saving volunteers after attending her first medical emergency just hours after qualifying.

Tara Fiske, the newest member of the Potter Heigham Community First Responder group, went to her first 999 call within four hours of passing her assessments.

The 28-year-old leapt into action with group coordinator Shelley Moore to attend to an elderly woman with breathing difficulties.

Tara said: 'I was a little nervous but I felt great being able to help. I assisted the ambulance crew and helped move the patient into the ambulance where I helped with the observations. I told the patient they were in very safe hands and the ambulance crew took the patient to hospital.'

The mum-of-two, who is also secretary of Stalham Sea Scouts, said she was pleased to be helping patients in her community.

'I am hoping to be on call as much as I can. Knowing I could be the closest help to the people in my area and knowing I could make a real difference in saving lives is an amazing feeling. It's about making a difference,' she added.

Community first responders volunteer where they live or work to attend a range of medical emergencies, including cardiac arrests, strokes, patients with breathing difficulties, chest pain and allergic reactions.

They are trained and dispatched by the East of England Ambulance Service Trust and their aim is to reach a potential life threatening emergency in the first vital minutes before ambulance staff arrive on scene.

For more information about becoming a first responder visit http://www.eastamb.nhs.uk/get-involved/community-first-responders.htm