HEALTH watchdogs in East Lancashire have made a plea for funding for the North West air ambulance.

Frank Clifford, chairman of Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale Community Health Council (CHC), seconded a motion at the CHC national conference which was put forward by Blackburn CHC that the Government "ensures adequate funding is available for the air ambulance."

At the Harrogate conference, the CHCs also called for an integrated air transport service for the UK to be developed.

Mr Clifford highlighted the sale of knitted bears which are sold all over the county at £2 each as one way the air ambulance trustees raise money to keep the helicopter mobile.

He told the conference the bears, Alan and Tony Bear, were hoping their namesakes Prime Minister Tony Blair and Health Secretary Alan Milburn would heed their plea and provide funding for the service. Mr Clifford said the motion was backed unanimously by all the CHCs. It will now be presented to an all-party group of MPs by the CHC national chief officer Donna Covey.

He said: "There is genuine concern from the company that has been set up to run and manage the ambulance that, without extra funding, the air ambulance might only be able to operate five out of seven days each week.

"People don't book their illnesses by appointment. A lot of people live in remote rural areas and the air ambulance is a vital resource which has already saved lives."

Chief executive of Lancashire Ambulance Trust David Hill, said the air ambulance's operational times were under constant review and, by the end of this month, a decision could be made on limiting the number of days the ambulance can fly.

He said: "It costs £700,000 a year to fly the helicopter and in the first year it was supported very much by the AA but, this year, the AA had to reduce its support and now we have a shortfall of £250,000."

Mr Hill said people could support the ambulance by joining the Flight for Life lottery draw with a weekly cash prize of £1,000, by contacting 01772 711424. He also said anyone wanting to organise fund-raising event could contact Jackie Northover or Linda Brisling on 0151 527 2511.