NO ambulances were available in Inverclyde to attend a major incident in Port Glasgow

The Telegraph understands that the vehicles sent to the scene of an alleged ammonia attack came from either Johnstone or Paisley.

We have also learned that it took double the recommended eight minute waiting time for paramedics to arrive.

An ambulance service insider says it is a 'regular' occurrence for crews to be drafted in from out with the area due to a lack of local available resources.

Emergency services were called to Princes Street on July 27 to deal with reports of a chemical liquid allegedly being thrown in the faces of members of the public.

The Scottish Ambulance Service will not say where their crews and vehicles came from.

They did confirm that it took 16 minutes for them to arrive and a further two minutes for specialist teams to reach the scene.

It is understood that vehicles should arrive within an eight minute target time.

A source, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the Tele: "It happens quite regularly because there's not enough cover in the town.

"Vehicles here are sent to cover Paisley, Dumbarton or Helensburgh.

"Crews used to cover their own areas but the new system means they cover wherever a vehicle is needed.

"That's probably a typical response time from out with the area - I've known jobs that have taken 25 minutes.

"You want to get there within the eight minutes allocated, that's the government guideline, but it all depends on the kind of job."

A 20-year-old man was taken to hospital for treatment following the Princes Street incident.

A male, aged 37, has since appeared in court accused of spraying ammonia or a similar liquid in his face.

Greenock councillor Ciano Rebecchi has recently been highlighting ambulance resources and response times.

He said: "There wasn't an ambulance in Inverclyde at all when that Port Glasgow call came in.

"One almost had to be diverted from another emergency."

The Scottish Ambulance Service did not respond to questions about vehicles not being available when the call came in, simply stating that they aim to get to emergencies as soon as they can.

A spokesman added: "We received a call at 2.09pm on Friday July 27 to attend an incident on Princes Street, Port Glasgow.

"The call was categorised as urgent, which means we aim to attend as quickly as we can.

"An ambulance arrived on scene 16 minutes later at 2.25pm and our special operations response team were on scene at 2.27pm."