THE region's first flying doctor took to the skies yesterday.

Dr Scott McGregor was the first accident and emergency doctor to be sent out on a job in the region's air ambulance helicopter.

The service by the Great North Air Ambulance is the only doctor helicopter operation outside London.

A team of doctors from James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, have been trained for the job.

Emergency patients will be flown to the James Cook hospital and the University Hospital of North Tees, in Stockton.

Dr McGregor was the first doctor on call and was sent out to a crash on the A59. However, the helicopter was radioed to return to base after the accident was dealt with on the ground.

Chief executive of the Air Ambulance, Graham Pickering, said the air ambulance would serve South County Durham, the Tees Valley and North Yorkshire. Spinal and burns injury patients would be taken to the James Cook Hospital and other patients to Stockton hospital.

The service will not cost the Great North Air Ambulance any extra money with the doctors provided by the NHS. However the charity still needs to raise more than £1m a year.

Paul Geldart, air ambulance volunteer, said: "This is the next phase of what we're trying to achieve here and the first outside of London. We believe it will save lives."

It is hoped the service will be copied at bases including at the Great North Air Ambulance's second helicopter in Blyth, Northumberland, which has two paramedics and a pilot.

More details from the website www.greatnorthair.ambulance.co.uk or by calling (01325) 487263.