CORNWALL’S new air ambulance will take to the skies to fly its first misisons on Wednesday.

Pilots, paramdeics and doctors have been carrying out training ahead of the helicopter going into active service on April 1.

Supporters all over Cornwall went to extraordinary lengths to raise money for the ’new heli’ appeal which launched in April 2018 and the target of £2.5 million was reached two months ahead of time.

Chief executive of Cornwall Air Ambulance Paula Martin said: ’It is a fantastic aircraft, full of new technology, but it is what that helicopter will allow our clinical team ti do that really counts – and that is saving lives in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.’