THE North-East Ambulance Service will today launch a £1.2m appeal for a new life-saving air ambulance.

The Great North Air Ambulance Appeal needs to raise about £50,000 a month over the next two years.

And it can only be done with the help and generosity of the North-East public.

The aim is to lease a Eurocopter 135 air ambulance to provide a rapid response to emergencies, such as road traffic accidents, where a matter of minutes can be the difference between life and death.

It would cover an area stretching from Northumbria in the north to the North Yorkshire border in the south - a population of about 2.1m people.

Fundraising manager Ken Doyle, a County Durham paramedic for 25 years, said: "Speed really does count and can save lives, so it is vital we get help from the public with this appeal.

"We do need a lot of money to get this helicopter up and flying but it can be done."

Volunteers and businesses are needed to help by taking collecting jars, raising money through charity events, donating raffle prizes and also helping to print posters, flyers, T-shirts and other appeal merchandise.

The North East Ambulance Service does operate a Squirrel helicopter bought in 1995, but this is regularly out of action during at least two weeks in the year when it is serviced.

All ambulance services are to be set targets by the Government from April next year to respond to 999 calls and administer treatment to patients within eight minutes.

Mr Doyle said: "All paramedics talk about a so-called golden hour which can be absolutely crucial.

"The chances of mortality of a severely injured person rises three-fold in the first half-hour and increases by the same amount in the second half-hour if treatment is not available straight away.

"Airborne paramedics can often get to a patient more quickly than a road ambulance and begin treatment earlier."

Air ambulances are often vital in accessing remote areas or those inaccessible by road and can bypass gridlocked roads.

They are also used in some cases to transport patients between specialist hospitals and carry donor organs.

Anyone who can help with the appeal is asked to contact (01670) 540540.