Staff and crew at Yorkshire Air Ambulance are all set to take delivery of a state-of-the-art helicopter.

The Elland-based charity will see its new Airbus H145 take to the skies next month.

Joined by a second new H145 before Christmas, the new aircraft are being brought in to replace the YAA’s ageing fleet.

They cost about £6m but are cheaper to run than the existing helicopters and can fly at night, meaning operating hours can be extended.

The existing fleet is expected to be sold to pay for the new aircraft.

YAA chairman Peter Sunderland said: “This is such an exciting time, not only for the charity, but we hope for the people of Yorkshire, too.

We have been building up to this for such a long time now and to think we are only a few short weeks away from commencing operations in the H145 is just fantastic.”

New state-of-the-art Airbus H145 helicopter for Yorkshire Air Ambulance

Capt Andy Lister, YAA’s director of light operations, said: “The H145 is a larger aircraft with better endurance and a longer range than we’re used to, which helps us cover Yorkshire’s 5m acres, but the overall footprint is small enough for reaching patients in tight areas.

“Myself and my team of pilots cannot wait to take to the controls of the H145 and see them become icons in the skies across Yorkshire.”