Farmer Tim Papworth is absolutely convinced that he would not be alive today if it wasn’t for the air ambulance coming to his rescue just over 18 months ago.

MOTORBIKE star James Toseland's visit to a city Air Ambulance base by was cut short - because paramedics were called out to a bike crash. The former World Superbike champion, who was rescued by the service after an accident in 2000, had pledged his support to the organisation.

The CALSTAR air ambulance company based at McClellan Park in North Highlands has added a large, high-flying patient transport plane to its fleet.