THE familiar blue and white Kent Air Ambulance has taken to the skies again.

The MD 902 Explorer, normally flown by the charity from its base in Pattenden Lane, Marden, was replaced with another model of helicopter last week while it underwent safety checks.

John Ticknor, the charity’s director of operations, said: “Our maintenance company advised safety checks on both our helicopters after the London Air Ambulance’s helicopter developed a fault.

“Both our aircraft have been thoroughly checked, a small adjustment has been made, and they are safe to fly."

Kent Air Ambulance leases two helicopters, one based at Marden and the other on the Surrey-Sussex border. It has a maintenance and repair agreement and there is a replacement helicopter available when the charity’s own aircraft is unable to fly due to technical problems.