A WEEKLY lottery is being set up by a Preston group to save lives throughout the North West.

Flight For Life will start on October 5 to raise money for the region's air ambulance currently based at Blackpool Airport.

Members will pay £1 a week to be entered into the draw with a chance to win a jackpot of up to £1,000.

Although generously sponsored by the AA, the air ambulance scheme receives no funds from the National Lottery or government and costing a massive £600,000 a year to run there is still substantial gap in its funds.

Hence the setting up of the lottery by the Preston-based Friends of North West Air Ambulance who want to raise awareness of the ambulance service. Group spokesman John Brocklebank, explained: "The air ambulance is now a vital part of the emergency services and is averaging about five calls a day. It is literally a life saver."

Since it began in May, the specially adapted Eurocopter BO105 DBS has already become a vital new part of the 999 response organisation.

It can carry a pilot, two paramedics, two stretchers and a host of specialist equipment.

In addition, it can respond quickly to calls, often an important factor in recovery, and can reach places which normal ambulance services cannot.

Among it's varied duties it has been called out to a sand flat and a remote part of a golf course as well as several inaccessible road traffic accidents.

Bearing the slogan, Supported by the People of the North West, it operates normally during daylight hours and covers an area of about 5,500 square miles.

For further information on the lottery or contact John on (01772) 711424 or write to him at Friends of the North West Air Ambulance, Sharoe Green Building, Waitling Street Road, Fulwood, Preston, PR2 8DS.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.