Bottle in fridge may 'save lives'

The bottle will be placed in the fridge so it can be easily located

People in Leicestershire are being urged to store medical information in a bottle in their fridge in a bid to get vital details to paramedics.

Health officials hope the message-in-a-bottle scheme will help save lives.

The distinctive green and white bottles will have emergency contacts and medication details inside them.

East Midlands Ambulance Service paramedic Glenn McPeak said: "Anything that can speed up the treatment we give to a patient is a real help."

People can get the bottles free of charge from about 150 pharmacies in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

The scheme uses a distinctive green and white plastic bottle and warning stickers will be put on the outside of the fridge and inside the front door.

If a person becomes ill, paramedics would see the stickers and be able to find the bottle in the fridge.

The scheme is sponsored by the Lions charity and backed by local councils, police, the local NHS and the ambulance service.