LANCASHIRE Air Ambulance has been thrown a lifeline to enable it to keep flying seven days a week well into the new year.

Tory Party spokesman for Blackpool South, David Morris, has welcomed the news that the air ambulance is to continue running its full service until March as a result of a £70,000 donation from a sponsor.

It had been feared that operations of the Blackpool-based helicopter, which covers the whole North West region, would have to be limited to five days a week to save cash. David stressed that although it was tremendous news that a sponsor had been found, a lot of hard work needed to be done to keep the service running.

"This donation will ensure the air ambulance is with us until at least the end of the financial year," said Mr Morris. "But the bottom line is that we can't afford to lose it. It has more than proved its worth since being launched in May last year and has already saved a number of lives and will continue to do so.

"On average it is called out three times a day which says it all. But if we want to keep it we have to pay for it. And it comes with a price -- £700,000 a year."

The air ambulance service is completely reliant on public donations which can be made by calling Lynda Breslin (0151) 527 2511.