AIR ambulance crews will be able to get to Bolton in minutes when a new helicopter becomes operational — helping to save more lives.

The North West Air Ambulance currently runs one helicopter from its base in Blackpool, but now it will be able to fly to the town much more quickly with a second aircraft based at the City Airport, Manchester.

The airfield, which used to be known as Barton Aerodrome, is about six miles south of Bolton, so the new helicopter will be able to fly here in less than four minutes.

North West Air Ambulance is funded entirely by charitable donations, and the second aircraft will cost the organisation an extra £1.4 million a year.

This means NWAA now has to raise a minimum of £3.5 million a year to run both of its ambulances.

NWAA chief executive Lynda Brislin said she was delighted to bring the second helicopter into operation. “For North West Air Ambulance, this second aircraft coming into the region means we can attend more people that need our services on a daily basis,” she said.

“We do know that with the existing aircraft very often when we’re busy a call will come through when we’re needed elsewhere.

“The new helicopter means we’ll be able to save more people.”

She added: “All the office staff are absolutely delighted that we’ve got this second aircraft on-line.

“They’ve all worked extremely hard to raise the funds. It’s an enormous achievement.”