IDENTICAL twins are joining Community First Responders in Torfaen.

The team now includes identical twins Lucy and Emma Davies, 21, who go out on their first shift on August 8 after completing their 30 hours training.

The twins, former Llantarnam Comprehensive pupils, have day jobs in retail, Lucy works in the Cwmbran branch of Sainsbury's and Emma works in the town's WH Smith.

Lucy and Emma, who live together in The Meyricks, Coed Eva, decided to become responders after Emma saw a presentation from St John Ambulance earlier this year.

They were trained at the County Hospital in Griffithstown and will volunteer outside work hours.

Lucy said: "It’s a wonderful feeling to think that you might be able to save someone’s life."

When a 999 call comes in, responders have to get to the scene within the target time of eight minutes and assess and treat the patient until the paramedics arrive.

They mainly deal with cardiac arrests and people who have suffered strokes and are trained to use defibrillators.

They are two of eight newly-qualified responders trained by the Welsh Ambulance Service medical technician and group manager Kim Jenkins and ambulance control officer Tony Bond Keiran Mahoney will join the Cwmbran team,Terry Delbridge. and Kieran Redman will be in Blaenavon, Natalie Griffiths and Keith Rogers will cover Abercarn, and Jack McKie will respond to Ebbw Vale calls.

Anyone interested in becoming a responder can call Kim Jenkins on 07809 201588 or 07818 530106 or Tony Bond on 07834 257727. Visit www.torfaen-first-responders.org.uk for more information.