Emergency services fuel crisis

Emergency services are being hit by spiralling fuel costs.

South Central Ambulance Service, which covers Berkshire, is feeling the strain on its fixed fuel budget for 2007-8 and seeing where cutbacks can be made to cover the costs.

The service sends out 30 to 40 ambulances a day and 10 to 20 rapid response cars.

Ngozi Fayeke, berkshire divisional communications manager said: "We are facing the same problems as everyone else filling up at the petrol pumps."

But she reassured residents that they would not let it affect their public service.
"We are talking to the Strategic Health Authority about a solution and there will be no compromise on our operational effectiveness and delivery of emergency services whatsoever," she said.