AN ambulance service's appeal for backing from businesses has attracted its first company.

Solicitors Atha and Co, of Middlesbrough, has signed up to the Great North Air Ambulance to make monthly donations. In return, its name will be on the nose-cone of the ambulance helicopter, based at Durham Tees Valley Airport.

Ambulance general manager Barbara Walton, said: "We are hoping this will be the first of many local businesses to support our life-saving work."

The organisation provides, maintains and improves air ambulance services across the region. It aims to provide the fastest time, shortest distance and the best of care from an incident to the most appropriate hospital.

For details, call Pippa Holt on (01325) 487263 or 07870 175381.