CUMBRIA'S air ambulance service has purchased new safety equipment as it operates for more hours than ever before.

Helicopter crews with the Great North Air Ambulance have taken delivery of essential new equipment thanks to a four-figure grant from a building society.

The Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) provides a full helicopter emergency medical service which covers 8,000 square miles across the North East and Cumbria, bringing pre-hospital care to those in urgent need.

GNAAS recently expanded its team to include three more Air Ambulance Doctors.

It received a grant of £1,058 provided by the Newcastle Building Society’s Ponteland branch Community Fund.

The air ambulance service has a base in Langwathby near Penrith.