IT IS A simple message in a bottle but it could be just enough to save a life.

Eastleigh Lions Club has joined other towns across the south coast in The Message In A Bottle Scheme. The scheme is to encourage people living on their own, particularly the elderly and disabled, to keep their basic personal and medical details in a common location where they can be quickly found in an emergency. The details are kept in a small plastic bottle which is stored in the fridge.

If emergency services are called to a home, they immediately know if anyone is taking part in the scheme by seeing two green cross labels. One is fixed to the back of the front door and the second attached to the door of the fridge.

Health centres, doctor's surgeries and chemists across the borough have supplies of the bottles and forms.

The Eastleigh launch, which took place last weekend, was given a civic send-off in the mayor's parlour by the borough's first citizen Councillor Glynn Davies-Dear.

Joining him was Eastleigh Lions Club president Mrs Margaret Gillings, the club's welfare chairman Mrs Pat Borg and the Lion's district governor, John Goodchild.

Mrs Borg said: "We have 2,000 bottles in stock and they are already going like hot cakes."

There is no cost to those taking part in the scheme and the whole project is funded by the Lions Club. However, the club is looking for a major sponsor. If there are any organisations who feel they could contribute or would like any information about the project they should contact the Lions Club of Eastleigh on 023 8026 3613.