A major fundraising appeal to buy the North-East a new air ambulance is being given a boost by environmentally-friendly businesses.

A European directive means the Great North Air Ambulance, based at Teesside Airport, must raise £3m in the next 12 months to replace its ageing helicopter with one that has autopilot capabilities.

Now businesses and individuals in the region can contribute to the fund simply by recycling their ink cartridges.

The Middlesbrough, Darlington and Durham shops of Cartridge World are supporting the helicopter appeal by pledging a donation for every printer, fax or photocopier cartridge they area asked to recycle in the appeal's name.

Chris Gould, who runs the three Cartridge World stores, said: "A laser or inkjet cartridge, which is about 1.5kg of solid waste, can take about 450 years to decompose at a landfill site.

"Recycling them, apart from being approximately half the cost of buying new, is therefore very environmentally friendly.

"Now each time someone brings us their used cartridge, whether for refilling or not, and quotes the air ambulance appeal, we will be helping to buy the North-East a new air ambulance."

Air Ambulance fundraiser John McGarvey said: "The Great North Air Ambulance provides the only "helicopter doctor" service outside of London, using a team of specially-trained doctors from James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough.

It has to raise £1m a year to fund that service, in addition to the £3m it needs to replace its current helicopter.

Cartridges can be taken to Cartridge World stores at Borough Road in Middlesbrough, North Road or Skinnergate in Darlington and Claypath, Durham City.

Anyone wanting to donate or support the appeal for the new helicopter can call the fundraising office on (01325) 487263.