THANKS to Blackpool's generous motorists, three local AA patrol men have raised almost £700 for the North West Air Amblulance.

Mick Curwen, Barry Eastham, Bob Foster and Fylde Coast local manager Alistair Horne ran the three-day promotion offering car checks, handy maintenance hints and air ambulance lapel badges in return for donations to the appeal.

The event, run in conjuction with Lancashire Police and Road Safety Unit, proved very popular as Mick Curwen explained: "Even though the weather was terrible there was a never-ending queue of cars. We must have done 700 or 800 checks.'

But, as the patrol men arrived to present their cheque to the Air Ambulance Team, the paramedics rushed out on an emergency mission -- proof of just how vital the service is to the community.

Pictured left in front of the air ambulance helicopter are, left to right, AA patrolmen Mick Curwen, Bob Foster and Darren Hilton with their cheque