OUTRAGED ambulance crews in Hampshire could soon be rushing to emergencies in jeans and T-shirts.

The threat follows growing concern among staff over a shortage of uniforms.

Staff representatives have now told Hampshire ambulance service bosses to either sort out the problem in two weeks or face the dress-down protest.

The staff say new recruits are having to wear hand-me-down boots and trousers or use kit from other emergency services.

Some members of staff are having to buy their own work clothes and some stations are two years behind in their uniform allocations.

Jim Barnett, chairman of the joint union shop stewards committee, speaks for all 500 rank-and-file Hampshire Ambulance Service personnel.

He told The Gazette: "We have given the management two weeks to put it right.

"They have said they will take steps, but if it doesn't happen then we will ask members what they think about a jeans and T-shirt day to bring it to public attention.

"These problems are not acceptable in this day and age.

"You don't see the police and fire services going around in other people's uniforms."

Mr Barnett admitted there are other gripes among staff about new methods of working and meal breaks, but said the uniform issue has been dragging on for years.

He said staff had to clean their own uniforms and had been given the wrong advice about the right temperature to kill off blood-borne diseases.

One off-duty Basingstoke ambulance crew member told The Gazette: "It is time our uniforms were updated."

A statement from Hampshire Ambulance Service said uniform shortages have been caused by the failure of manufacturers to meet supply agreements and by the needs of increased numbers of recruits.

The statement said steps will now be taken to make up the shortages of kit for members of staff.

It confirmed that the whole process has now been centralised to tender from a single new provider and a new uniform will be designed in the next six months.

Liz Rees, spokeswoman for the service, said: "A meeting last week of staff and management was very successful in working to resolve the issues. Staff will be working with the manager in charge."