VOLUNTEER firstaiders have been called in to provide frontline emergency cover for Beaminster while the town's southern access road is closed.

Ambulance chiefs have put Broadwindsor's pioneering First Responders group on standby to attend 999 calls while the B3066 remains out of action.

Roadworks at Melplash mean that ambulance crews currently face a detour through country lanes to reach Beaminster - costing what could be vital minutes in a lifethreatening emergency.

Dorset Ambulance NHS Trust spokesman Steve Smith said they had not realised the extent of the diversions and as a result they had taken the unusual step of calling in the Responders at short notice.

He said: "We have asked them to extend their area for the duration of the roadworks so that we can make sure they get medical help to people in Beaminster as quickly as possible."

Mr Smith said at the moment ambulance crews from Bridport had to travel via Broadwindsor to reach Beaminster because of the 10day road closure, which began on Monday.

"They would not be delayed that much and we could always call in other options like the air ambulance so it is not causing us a major worry," he said.

"But we are very grateful to the First Responders for agreeing to extend their patch and provide this cover."

First Responders' coordinator Pat Clarke said that despite the late request for assistance her team of unpaid volunteers would do their best for Beaminster.

But she warned they did not have the detailed knowledge of the area as they did in Broadwindsor and would not be able to reach a casualty there within their usual eight minute target time.

"But we have agreed to assist and we feel we do have the knowledge and the equipment to help people," she said.

Beaminster Town Council chairman Janet Page said the council was pleased that the First Responders had agreed to cover emergencies in the town. "It is brilliant," she said.

She added that generally the road closure had not caused any major problems for residents.

Dorset Highways manager Richard Bastow said: "As far as I know we are on programme and the road should reopen as planned by the middle of next week."