Today the Oxford Mail reveals the stark difference in ambulance response times across the county.

The Government has said ambulance trusts must send medical help to the most serious emergencies within eight minutes of a 999 call.

But our report shows South Central Ambulance Service met its 75 per cent target in just 10 of Oxfordshire’s 26 postcode areas.

It is about a stark a postcode lottery as you can get.

In the worst-performing area, just 30 per cent of life-threatening calls were responded to within eight minutes in the OX18 postcode area, including Bampton, Burford, Carterton and Brize Norton.

Only Didcot, Oxford, Kidlington and Adderbury now have ambulance stations.

There may be some who suggest if you live out in the sticks, then that is the price you pay.

But we all pay tax – and we may all end up needing an ambulance.

While there will always be a disparity in response times, there must be a more effective way of reaching critically-ill patients in rural communities.