THE Lancashire Air Ambulance Service says the coming Bank Holiday weekend could bring a record number of call-outs and is urging people to take extra care.

The service, based in Blackpool, has seen an increase in call outs of more than 103 per cent since it was set up in 1999.

And air crews are warning that this is set to increase even further through the summer.

On average crews attend three or four jobs a day, but this can increase to as many as seven or eight on a busy weekend.

Air crew member Justin Mautus said: "We are always much busier during the summer. starting from about May through to August and September.

"There are many reasons for this but with people going on holiday and children off from school, there are always likely to be more accidents.

"Not only do more people go to places like Blackpool and the other holiday resorts, but there are people taking part in extreme sports like paragliding or just walking.

"Ever since the fells were reopened after the foot and mouth crisis we have seen more people out walking and the air ambulance can get to people in remote areas much quicker than a land ambulance and can be a real life saver."

Yesterday the ambulance was called on several jobs, including to Entwistle Reservoir near Darwen to a report of children swimming, but was not needed to rescue anyone.

The service, which costs £700,000 a year to run, was set up in 1999 and recorded its record number of call outs in July when it attended 22 jobs in a weekend.