A VOLUNTEER lifesaving group which has attended hundreds of call-outs has celebrated its tenth anniversary.

Manningtree Community First Responders held an event attended by councillors, volunteers and those they have helped to mark the occasion on Monday.

The group covers Manningtree, Bradfield, Brantham, Mistley and Lawford, but can also be called out further afield to Dedham, Wrabness and Wix.

All its members are volunteers who give up their own time to help others and give them medical support.

In 2014, they were called out 305 times and covered hours equivalent to 535 days.

Kate Williams, group secretary, said: “It was quite emotional at some points. We had quite a lot of families there who we had been out to.”