A SCHEME to help locals ensure they are safe in a medical emergency was launched this week in Saltcoats.

The Rotary Club of Hunterston, which covers the Three Towns, brought their popular ‘Message in a bottle’ scheme to Saltcoats on Friday.

It will see bottles distributed free of charge to the elderly, vulnerable individuals and people living alone and these bottles contain a form to be completed by individuals to record their emergency contacts and essential medical information.

The form is placed in a distinctive Green Cross Bottle which is placed in the door of their fridge and two further green cross labels are supplied. One is stuck to the outside door of their fridge and the other at a visible point inside their front door.

Emergency services have been briefed on the scheme and will be on the look out for these Green Cross stickers when entering premises and will be able to use the information contained therein.

The launch was attended by Kenneth Gibson MSP, local councillor Joy Brahim, representatives from Police Scotland, Scottlsih Ambulance Service, Local health Centres and Libraries.

Bottles are now available at 20 distribution points in the Three Towns and two have already needed to be resupplied due to high demand.

Kenneth Gibson expressed his support for the scheme and hoped it could be extended to other areas in Scotland.