The fixed-wing and helicopter operators have retained contracts to continue urgent patient transfers to specialist hospitals across the UK.

UK aeromedical charity the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) has had its busiest summer on record after being deployed to more than 600 incidents between June and September.

A new Dauphin N3 aircraft replaces the original Pride of Cumbria in service for the last 30 years. It is expected to serve Cumbria for 15 years and is part of GNAAS' plans to expand services in its region of operation.