The life-saving Mid Wales Air Ambulance service has been extended for an extra month, it was revealed today.

And the decision makers said it was thanks to the overwhelming support and generosity of local people that they had been able to retain the Welshpool-based helicopter until the end of the year.

The helicopter service, launched in June to provide cover in Mid Wales for the busy summer months, has been such a success providing 999 cover to the remote parts of the region, that it has already been extended for two months.

The helicopter crew has responded to 259 missions so far, many of them life saving.

Angela Hughes, general manager of the Wales Air Ambulance Trust said: “The people of Mid Wales have appreciated its use and obviously do not want to see the service go. They have given us magnificent support and if one in eight people in the region join our ‘Lifesaving Lottery’, the charity will be able to consider making it a permanent fixture.

“A further one month extension was granted this week because we want a little more time to discuss the financial implications and the possibility of raising the extra income in order to keep it there permanently. It really is a case of support it or lose it.”

Among those who welcomed the good news today was Montgomeryshire MP Lembit Opik who has been campaigning to retain the Mid Wales helicopter and pressing the Government to provide funding for air ambulances nationwide.

He said: “I’m absolutely delighted that our campaign to extend the air ambulance has succeeded, at least for another month. It’s a tribute to local fundraising initiatives and also to those who toil tirelessly to raise awareness of this essential service.

“There is no doubt that by extending the service more people’s lives will be saved – by getting people to hospital for treatment within the ‘golden hour’ the service is worth its weight in gold dust.”

Mr  Opik broke his back in 1998 when hang-gliding above Llanidloes and had to endure a four and three quarter hours trip to the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital by road. He said the journey could have been done in 20 minutes by helicopter.

By Deborah Knox