OUR frontline ambulance paramedics do a fantastic job saving lives day in and day out.

But in recent months this newspaper has highlighted several occasions where pressure on resources has produced unacceptable delays in reaching casualties.

Now concerned staff have contacted us after a weekend when they claim an already worrying situation reached crisis proportions.

High sickness levels of 11 per cent and other staff shortages are said to have caused problems along with ambulances being delayed at hospitals and a fear that the regional service might be focusing more on the city areas of Manchester and Liverpool.

MPs, unions and health watchdogs have all added their voices to the concerns.

The North West Ambulance Service has said overall regional targets are being met but union officials say that has not always been the case in East Lancashire.

What the public needs are details of how many ambulances have been on duty in specific towns rather than blanket reassurances about the regionwide operation.

There is considerable apprehension among the public and, apparently, staff too which needs to be allayed.