SALES staff each donated one hour's worth of wages to help keep a life-saving emergency service flying high.

Workers at Simon Bailes car dealerships across the region raised £900, which was donated to the Great North Air Ambulance Service.

Staff at the branches in Northallerton, Guisborough and Stockton took part.

The air ambulance is based at Durham Tees Valley Airport, and covers the area from the Humber Estuary to the Scottish Borders. It carries a trauma team of a paramedic and doctor to give life-saving treatment.

The service is a charity, and relies on donations to stay in the air.

Grahame Pickering, chief executive of the ambulance service, said: "We are constantly looking for donations to help us keep the aircraft operational, and the cash pays for essential things like maintenance, fuel and the general day-to-day running of the service.

"We would like to thank Simon and his staff for their continued support as, without this kind of financial help, our marvellous team would not be able to sustain this invaluable emergency service."

Simon Bailes, managing director of the car dealerships, said: "The Great North Air Ambulance provides a crucial service to the community. People never know whether or when they, or a loved one, may have to rely on the service."