A YELLOW-themed fundraiser is being staged to raise vital cash for the North West air ambulance.

Children across the region are being asked to donate £1 and wear yellow to school on Otober 13 in a bid to help raise some of the £1.3million needed annually to run the service.

Bosses have chosen yellow as the theme of the annual day as it is the colour of the charity's famous helicopter which races to hundreds of North West accidents every year.

The charity's chief executive Lynda Brislin said of the "Big Yellow One" awareness day: "We're asking everyone to bring a little sunshine into the lives of those around them with a little yellow on October 13.

"Our supporters are incredibly generous and very creative and we've already had some wonderful ideas including and a mass hair bleaching session."

In January the service unveiled a new EC135 Eurocopter which can reach East Lancashire hospitals in eight minutes and hit speeds of 150mph, some 20mph faster than its 1982-built pre-decessor.

But the service comes at a high price - as it costs £1.3 million per year to keep this vital service in the sky seven days a week.

And the registered charity is appealing for East Lancashire residents to do their bit.

For a fundraising pack or more details call 0800 587 4570.