THE COUNTY'S air ambulance service has this week been granted funding to keep it fully operational, seven days a week through the winter.

A delighted David Hill, chief executive of Lancashire Ambulance Service, this week announced that the money needed to keep the service running was in place.

Welcoming the news Mr Hill commented: "I am delighted to be able to confirm that arrangements have made with the NHS Regional Executive concerning funding which will maintain 7-day flying until the end of March.

"The news is very welcome in view of the major benefit to patients which the air ambulance brings. I must stress however that the North West Air Ambulance continues to be reliant on raising funds from the residents of the North West and I appeal for people to join the Air Ambulance Lottery and continue to help in our fund raising efforts." The National Association of Air Ambulance Services (NAAAS) and the AA are urging the people of the North West to join in supporting the air ambulance, following the announcement that the service will continue to fly for seven days per week.

Nigel Webb, chief executive of NAAAS, said: "We are delighted with today's news as we have worked with the ambulance services and NHS trusts in the north west to help the service come into being. Thanks to support we receive from the AA, we have been able to provide funding worth over £1 million for the North West air ambulance and the NHS Regional Executive's support is a clear sign of how important the service is."

Cathy Billett of the AA says: "Nearly 50 per cent of air ambulance call-outs are to road traffic accidents, which is why the AA is supporting NAAAS. Air ambulances perform a vital role an d I join with Nigel in asking the people of the North West to support their air ambulance."

More information on air ambulances can be found on www.naaas.co.uk.