LOCAL people are being asked to contribute to a £500,000 appeal has been launched by North West Air Ambulance to replace its existing 30-year-old helicopter.

Operation Eagle is being spearheaded by Gulf War Prisoner of War John Nichol at its launch on Monday.

The ambulance covers 5,500 square miles and serves a population of seven million people. So far the charity has saved hundreds of lives and is called out several times a day.

The charity receives no Government funding and has to find £65,000 every month to keep the helicopter in the air.

It is hoped the present German Bolkow helicopter will be replaced with a new, state-of-the-art EC 135.

The NWAA is inviting local communities to organise fund-raising events in a bid to reach the £500,000 target.

For more information call free on 0800 587 4570 or log on to the Internet site www.northwestair

ambulance.com