A NORTH-East Euro-MP has called for a European Union regulations amnesty to save a charity ambulance fleet.
Martin Callanan spoke out yesterday after St John Ambulance officials warned the organisation faced a financial crisis because hundreds of its vehicles failed to meet new European safety regulations.
In the North-East and North Yorkshire alone, 24 ambulances were below new safety standards. They would cost about £360,000 to replace.
Mr Callanan said: "Obviously any advance in the safety of vehicles on our roads is welcome, but these new regulations will put a huge financial burden on the St John Ambulance organisation."
He demanded an exemption for charities until they phase out older vehicles.
"An exemption would allow charities such as St John Ambulance to upgrade vehicles as and when they could afford to," he said.
The charity has drawn up a priority list of areas most urgently needing new ambulances - nine will be in Teesside and Yorkshire
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