WHEN members of the Colne St John's Ambulance were told the group was to be disbanded after 113 years service to the town, they felt so strongly about it they decided to set up their own group.

The idea was a spur-of-the-moment decision by treasurer Roy Brown, who was angry at the decision.

The Colne First Aid Services, as they are now known, intend to pick up where they left off as St John's Ambulance members and to continue their good work in Pendle.

Mr Brown, who was a member of the Colne group for 14 years, said: "The Lancashire commissioner came for a meeting with us and they said they would have to close us down because it wasn't financially viable, even though we had more than £5,000 in the bank. We feel very bitter about it because, basically, we think they will eventually close down all the St John's Ambulance Brigade.

"They told us we had to move to the Nelson office and I was so annoyed at them because, at the end of the day, we are volunteers. I told him we wouldn't have to move to Nelson because we would set up our own group."

The other members agreed with the idea to carry on the service in the area and once the insurance is arranged they hope to continue. Mr Brown added: "It will just be the same as before. The members are the same, they are just as qualified and will use the same equipment and we are hoping to do all the same events such as Trawden Show, the Blues Festival and Barnoldswick Gala.

"We wanted to carry on serving the people that we have been serving all this time. We've already been told we will be required at the Barnoldswick triathlon and the Blues Festival, which are two of our biggest duties.

"I say good luck to the St John's Ambulance because all they are doing is driving people away. When people are volunteers you can't ask them to keep travelling further afield.

"We will rely on donations as we have done previously and will probably organise a collection day, as well as looking for sponsorship."

The members have agreed to stick with the black and white uniform with a replacement standard first aid badge featuring a blue cross.

Anyone who would like to book the group for local events or wanting further details about the service can call Roy Brown on 816168 or chairman Edris Bracewell on 865555.