Digital radio for air ambulance

There will be no reduction in service while the work is carried out

The Dorset and Somerset air ambulance is being fitted with new digital radio equipment putting it on the same radio system as all English ambulances.

The work, which will take 21 days, is part of a 10-year Department of Health programme to ensure ambulance crews can communicate directly with each other.

While the work is carried out, the familiar bright yellow helicopter has been replaced with a red aircraft.

The helicopter has attended more than 700 emergencies so far this year.

Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance charity manager Charlotte Routley said: "There will be no loss or reduction in our life-saving service during the helicopter's refit.

"Our pilots and paramedics will continue to fly over Somerset and Dorset and airlift patients to hospital when necessary."