LONDON-- The first ever international mobile phone travel emergency and concierge service is now available on the iTunes store.

Developed by Trafficmaster, International Rescue is a smartphone application within the Trafficmaster Companion suite of travel services. This service provides round the clock travel experts who are on hand to help you in any emergency. Teams of experts in the UK and located in over 40 countries from Belgium to Brazil are on hand to help you in an emergency - So whether you have broken your arm in a ski accident in the Swiss Alps, been pick-pocketed at the Mardis Gras in Rio or lost your passport, International Rescue is able to help.

At the press of a button travellers are connected to Trafficmaster personal assistants (PAs) in the UK. The PAs have exclusive access to in-country local teams and can provide a liaison between you, British embassies, the police, border controls and emergency services such as ambulance, fire, mountain rescue and coast guard. What's more they provide concierge services so they can help you find a restaurant, hotel or your nearest chemist or cash machine.

Tony Eales, Chief Executive of Trafficmaster, says: "Following on from launching International Rescue on Blackberry, Symbian and Windows based mobile phones, we are delighted to now be able to offer this on the iPhone. It is a fantastic service that offers peace of mind, security and local knowledge to all travellers, whether you are a business man, a family on holiday or a student on a gap year."

To provide a comprehensive emergency service International Rescue confidentially stores all your personal information such as next of kin, passport number, blood group, allergies, current medication and insurance details. This information is only used when an emergency arises.

To download the International Rescue application to your iPhone simply search for Trafficmaster Companion in the iTunes store or go to the Trafficmaster website - www.trafficmaster.co.uk. The service costs £20 a month or £65 for an annual subscription. Calls to the travel experts from your mobile are charged at a normal UK landline rate.

International Rescue is part of the Trafficmaster Companion suite of travel services, which includes UK based satellite navigation, live traffic information and 24 hour personal assistants.

For more information about International Rescue and Trafficmaster Companion's other services go to www.trafficmaster.co.uk