FUNDRAISING at a Christmas party in a North pub has raised £1,400 for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA).

Staff at the Buckles Inn, at Bilbrough, near York, worked hard selling tickets throughout last month and, with the support of manager Ian Booth, hundreds were sold by party DJ Paul Mansell, assistant manager Louise Albon and senior bar attendant Claire Radley.

Mr Mansell said: "We chose the YAA charity last year for a similar event and had a very good response, so we decided to use it again.

"We have heard of the wonderful work the YAA does from customers whose relatives and friends have been helped by the helicopter.

"The Yorkshire Air Ambulance is always something you take for granted until you need it."

Air ambulance fundraising manager Bob Smailes said: "We are extremely grateful to the organisers for this donation.

"I know how hard they have worked to raise the money.

"The air ambulance costs more than £3,000 a day to operate, and relies predominately on voluntary donation, so we rely on support like this to maintain the lifesaving service."

The 140mph service is rarely more than eight minutes flying time from the nearest hospital.

It is largely supported by public funding.

Anyone wanting to help with fundraising or make a donation is asked to call the YAA charity office on 0845 120 6060.