Fears that the helicopter landing pad at the William Harvey hospital is under threat have been dismissed by health bosses.

As staunch supporters of Kent Air Ambulance, Donna Wickens and her daughter Hannah from Romney Road, Willesborough, have spent years supporting the charity.

They have organised sponsored walks and cycle rides, supported the lottery and Hannah, 18, has completed a skydive to raise cash.

But when plans were announced for more buildings and car parking on the site they studied details and were horrified to discover their proximity to the helipad.

Mrs Wickens, said: “It appears they will be building all around it and we fear a repeat of what happened to the previous landing ground.

“When they expanded the hospital before the pad was lost and it took 10 years before the present area was provided.

“It is vital that Kent Air Ambulance and others like the Sea King air sea rescue helicopter can land near the accident and emergency centre”.

They expressed their concerns to the hospital authorities and local county Cllr George Koowaree but feared the worst as they received no replies.”

A spokesman for East Kent Hospitals University NHS Trust said on Monday: “The helipad at the William Harvey is remaining where it is. The car park is being built next to it”.