Cornwall Air Ambulance's new helicopters came into service this week.

The two new aircraft bring significant improvements to the emergency service – most notably the ability to fly in the hours of darkness for the first time.

The current EC135 aircraft, which has served the county since 2001, has now been retired to make way for the MD902 helicopters as part of the air ambulance charity's switch to the operator Medical Aviation Services.

Exciting

Cornwall Air Ambulance chief executive Paula Martin said: 'This is a really exciting time for the people of Cornwall; the biggest step-change in our service to this county in recent years. The biggest change is that the new helicopters are fully night vision equipped, meaning Cornwall's air ambulance will be available 12 hours per day all year round from early 2015.

'At the moment we are on call 12 hours per day throughout the summer, but as few as eight hours per day in the winter due to the lack of daylight. We estimate this change could enable us to fly up to an extra 50 missions a year. That may not sound much, but for some of those patients, that will be the mission that counts.'

For the first time, two air ambulance helicopters will be based in the county, with one being operational each day and the other acting as the back-up aircraft. Paula Martin said: 'Having a dedicated back-up aircraft based in Cornwall 24/7 means we can minimise downtime for routine or unexpected maintenance which prevented us attending 13 missions in 2013.'

The new aircraft, which will be officially launched next month, will be able to carry more weight, meaning additional medical equipment, personnel or fuel. Members of the public will have the opportunity to see the new helicopters at a free open day at the Cornwall Air Ambulance base, near Newquay, on February 21.