HUNDREDS of volunteers are needed to enhance the work of a vital airborne 999 crew.

Pantomime stars descended on Teesside Airport yesterday to help the Government-backed Experience Corps scheme launch a recruitment drive to find more than 2,000 Ground Crew volunteers for the Great North Air Ambulance.

The Ground Crew will be an essential part of the air ambulance service, aiding fundraising activities, running stands at community events and giving talks to local groups.

The Experience Corps, set up to encourage people over 50 to pass on their skills and talents to help others in the community, will be working with the air ambulance to match individual interests to volunteers' positions within the service.

John Everson, of the Great North Air Ambulance, said: "We can currently reach emergencies in the area in under 20 minutes.

"Such a quick response time can have an effect on the recovery, or even the survival, of the accident victim.

"In order to maintain this level of service and help generate sufficient income to replace our existing aircraft, we will be relying on the work of the Ground Crew."

Eddie Collins, North of England operational director for the Experience Corps, said: "In our region, we all rely on the invaluable service that the Great North Air Ambulance provides, but few of us realise that the service is a charity that counts on donations of time and money to keep it going."

The drive was launched by Linda Lusardi and Sam Kane, stars of Darlington Civic Theatre's pantomime Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, together with Keith Harris and Orville, who are appearing at Billingham Forum.

The Experience Corps can be contacted on 0800 0562 937.