Air ambulances flying again in Kent, Surrey and Sussex

The area's two ambulances cost more than £3m annually to keep airborne

Helicopters from Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance have once again taken to the skies.

They were grounded last Friday because of ash from the Icelandic volcano and were given permission to fly again on Monday morning but only to emergencies.

The specialist medical teams have responded by road to a total of 13 calls in the three days since flights of the two helicopters were grounded.

Chief Executive John Tickner said they will continue to review the situation.

Kent's air ambulance service is 20 years old this year. The service for Surrey and Sussex is three years old.