Extension for air ambulance trial

Almost one in five Welsh air ambulance call-outs are in mid Wales

A trial to provide emergency air ambulance cover in mid and south-east Wales has been extended again, this time until the end of November.

Wales Air Ambulance's third helicopter, based in Welshpool, was initially due to be on call from June to September.

But the charity extended its stay for six weeks and has now agreed another extension.

Bob Palmer, chair of the trustees, said the "generous people of mid Wales" had in part helped fund an extra few weeks.

Wales Air Ambulance, which also has helicopters in Swansea and Caernarfon, said it would assess later whether there was need for an extra air ambulance to be permanently on call in Wales.

Mr Palmer said: "This is a very short extension, but we are delighted to be in the position to keep the third air ambulance on-line for yet another month."

"However, this is the absolute final extension we will be able to make. Unfortunately, it will have to be withdrawn at the end of November."

Mid Wales relies heavily on the air ambulance as it takes a long time for road ambulances to reach many parts of the area.