AMBULANCE chiefs have admitted that the North-East's life-saving air ambulance had to be grounded because no paramedics were available to staff it.

The Northern Echo understands that the helicopter was placed off-line earlier this month for more than ten days.

The twin-engined Squirrel helicopter, which covers an area ranging from Northumberland to the North Yorkshire border, is occasionally taken out of service for repairs.

Staff say this is the first time in a number of years that it has not been available because of staffing problems.

The air ambulance, based in Blyth, has three dedicated paramedics and a very limited number of regular operational staff on stand-by if needed.

Steve Whinfield, director of operations at the North-East ambulance service, disputed the length of time the helicopter had been out of action, but he said: "Recently we had a number of problems, two people off sick and another had been involved in a serious road traffic accident.

"If we run out of qualified paramedics to staff the ambulance, as in this case, it does not fly. The air ambulance is very much part of our service and this very rarely happens."

Matty Ward, station officer at the support unit for the North-East air ambulance, said: "This is the first time this has happened because of staffing problems for three years. The air ambulance has proved itself absolutely vital, but unfortunately road vehicles are a priority."

One North-East paramedic, who did not want to be named, blamed the staffing problems on "too much bureaucracy" between ambulance service departments.

He said: "Each department within the ambulance service has its own budget and if they want something from another department they have to pay for it."

Two years ago, the air ambulance got £450,000 sponsorship from the AA in a deal set up by the National Association of Air Ambulance Services.

However, the cash is not available to pay for paramedics.