Kent Air Ambulance is launching night flights

by business editor Trevor Sturgess

The air ambulance is aiming to save even more lives by launching night flights - but will need an extra million pounds a year to keep them going.

The new service, which has been the dream of Kent Air Ambulance chiefs for many years, is expected to take off in April.

A new helicopter specially designed for night flying will be based at Redhill, Surrey, to serve Kent, Surrey and Sussex. It will operate between 7pm and 7am.

The service does not yet have permission to fly at night from its Marden headquarters, but it is possible a second night-flight helicopter could be based there in a few years' time.

Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance spokeswoman Jill Playle said Redhill was centrally placed. "From Redhill, we can get to anywhere in the region within 30 minutes," she said.

More pilots, doctors, paramedics and call centre staff are being taken on to provide the new service.

The air ambulance costs £5million a year to run, most of it raised by donations and numerous fund-raising activities.

Ms Playle said night flights would increase costs to £6m. The South East Lions Club had pledged £250,000 over the next 10 years to the new service "and hopefully business will also step up to the mark".

Meanwhile, the air ambulance is about to launch a new blood transfusion service.