York's pedalling paramedic was quickly into action on his first day of patrolling the crowded city centre.

Mark Inman attended three emergencies on his specially adapted bicycle yesterday, fulfilling his remit of getting round York's congested streets at speed by arriving at all of them in under two minutes.

His first call took him from Davygate to Goodramgate, with his bicycle's blue lights flashing and sirens wailing, to help a woman who had fallen.

He also attended a woman who collapsed in Parliament Street, and returned there later in the afternoon to administer oxygen to a man who was having a fit.

In the latter two cases he beat the conventional ambulance to the scene, treating the patients before it took them to York District Hospital.

Mark said: "It's been fantastic weather, everybody has been so friendly and supportive.

"I have lost count of the cups of tea that have been brought out to me it's been great."

Updated: 08:18 Wednesday, May 02, 2001