AMBULANCE responses to the most serious emergency calls by the service covering Cheshire are the third worst in the country - new figures reveal.

Concern has been raised after the percentage of Category A calls responded to within eight minutes by Mersey Regional Ambulance Service fell for the third year running from 73.7% to 71.2%. The target is 75%.

Eveleigh Moore Dutton, city councillor for Malpas and county council member for Broxton, said she was 'appalled'.

'We are talking about the most desperate calls here and seconds count,' she said.

Only two other services achieved worse results, and Mersey Regional was the second worst of the urban trusts.

For less serious Category B emergency calls, to be responded to within 14 minutes, there was a slight improvement from 91.9% to 92.2%.

But that remains the fifth poorest figure nationwide and still below the 95% target.

Cllr Moore Dutton, who is training as one of the service's first responder volunteers to respond to emergencies while ambulances are en route to the scene, added: 'I was under the impression the service had made significant improvements last time I spoke to the outgoing chief executive.

'This is not good enough. I want to know what's going to happen because things do not seem to be working and we are getting a worse service than other areas.'

Janet Pitman, chairwoman of the Patient Forum for North West Ambulance, said: 'Obviously, we are concerned by these figures and will look into the matter.

'It's something that will be discussed at our next meeting.'

Mike Cassidy, area director for Cheshire and Merseyside, North West Ambulance Service, said the dip in performance for Category A calls should be set against an overall increase in calls and industrial action still ongoing among technicians in the area.

He added: 'Despite these increased challenges, we have achieved high performance figures overall.

'As part of the newly formed North West Ambulance Service, we are always looking at ways to improve our service to patients, including improved response times.'