Visitors were given a look at a new air ambulance helicopter which could take to the Oxfordshire skies at an open day at the Churchill Hospital on Saturday.

A £500,000 appeal is being launched today to provide a new air ambulance for the people of Oxfordshire.

The Oxfordshire Ambulance NHS Trust has joined up with its Berkshire counterparts to launch the public appeal to pay for the flying machine which could save lives.

Health bosses say that while their ambulances are fitted with all the latest technology, the lack of a permanent air ambulance could delay the time it takes to get patients to city centre hospitals from remote parts of the countryside.

On Saturday, visitors to an open day at the Churchill Hospital in Oxford, marking the 50th anniversary of the NHS, were invited to have a look at one of the helicopters which would be suitable for use as an air ambulance.

Mum-of-two Cathy Webb, 34, of Little Milton, near Wheatley, who works as a practice nurse, said: "Everyone should support this. You never know when you might be stranded." From the borders of Oxfordshire, it can take up to 40 minutes to reach the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, by road, whereas an air ambulance could do it in minutes.

A helipad is available at the hospital and is currently used in an emergency situation by air ambulances run by other agencies, including the police.

But the formation of a permanent air ambulance team would mean trained staff available round-the-clock to turn out to any emergency situation.

Paramedic supervisor Gary Toohey, who is co-ordinating the fundraising campaign in Oxfordshire, said: "Getting this service up and running could make a vital contribution to saving lives.

"The kind of incident we are talking about is where a rider falls off their horse and breaks his back.

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