A new fleet of greener ambulances are set to hit the roads this winter.

Lancashire and Cumbria will be home to 24 of the 55 new ambulances, with 29 being stationed in Greater Manchester and two in Cheshire and Merseyside.

Despite not being electric or hybrid, the emergency vehicles are greener and more efficient than their predecessors.

Built to Euro 6 standards, they produce fewer harmful pollutants, particularly nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and particulate matter.

Converted from Fiat Ducato vans – the most reliable and fuel-efficient vehicle in its class – the new ambulances are replacements for existing vehicles over seven years old.

Stations across the North West will retain 45 of the existing ambulances, with 13 of the old vehicles being retained in Lancashire and Cumbria, 17 in Greater Manchester and 15 in Cheshire and Merseyside.

These will be retained until the end of winter to help maximise our fleet at the busiest time of year, thanks to a funding boost we have received to help with winter pressures.

Each of the new ambulances take approximately 400 hours to convert from standard vans into a high-specification emergency ambulance.

This includes installing electricity, creating windows in the side panels, fitting the blue lights and sirens and applying livery to make them instantly recognisable as ambulances.

The new ambulances can be spotted by a large sepsis sign on the side of the vehicle.