WEST Mercia Police has launched a tax disc replacement, which contains vital information to help emergency services attending the scene of an accident.

The Emergency Contact Disc allows people to write down details for their next of kin and crucial medical information for the driver, so in the event of a medical emergency or an accident, a first responder will be able to obtain information that is not otherwise accessible at the scene.

The disc can be downloaded from the force's website and placed into the now otherwise redundant tax disc holder.

Information sections fold inwards, so details cannot be viewed by passers by.

PC Dave Wise, the West Mercia officer behind the idea said: "The information within the disc could be vital to save lives or quickly locate a casualty's next of kin, something that can be time consuming at the scene of a serious incident.

“All information is optional and the blank discs can be used to add customised information, or attach a passport photo to help link the information to the right person.

"If there is more than one regular driver or even regular passengers, consider printing multiple discs and add a photo or description of each person."

PC Wise added: "If people have concerns about security of information, they can omit certain details. We would advise that if the next of kin address is the same as the driver's address, it may be sensible to leave this portion blank.

"The information within the disc would give little or no information away that could aid potential criminals and any slight risk is far outweighed by the benefits."

The disc can be downloaded here.