ONE of the region's top ambulancemen is emigrating to help run a service which covers a vast tract of Australia.

Geordie Steve Whinfield, 48, is to become superintendent of New South Wales ambulance service, an area roughly twice the size of the UK.

"It is a great opportunity. I have a young family and it is an offer I couldn't refuse," said Mr Whinfield, who has been with the North-East Ambulance Service for 20 years.

The first time Mr Whinfield, who is the North-East's director of operations, visited Australia was as captain of a team of ambulance officers, taking part in the 1985 television game show Busman's Holiday.

"We went to Alice Springs in the middle of Australia for three weeks," he said.

He was impressed and when a job opportunity came up he did not need to be asked twice.

"It's a similar job, but covering a much bigger area. The New South Wales service has 2,700 staff and more than 240 ambulance stations. They respond to nearly a million incidents a year," he said.

While the Northumbria service has an air ambulance helicopter, the New South Wales service has three aircraft and four helicopters to cover the huge distances involved.

Mr Whinfield, a Newcastle United fan, plans to get up at 5am on Sundays to watch live matches on satellite.