A NEW £5.7 million state-of-the-art Yorkshire Air Ambulance helicopter will take to the skies next year after a government funding boost.

Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osbourne made the £1m pledge during a visit to the charity's air base at Nostell Priory with charity supporter and cricket commentator Geoffrey Boycott, who had asked the government for help.

Yorkshire Air Ambulance has now ordered a latest generation Airbus H145 helicopter to replace the older of its two aircraft, G-SASH.

The donation, from fines levied on banks, will contribute towards the new helicopter, which should arrive by September next year.

Yorkshire Air Ambulance chairman Peter Sunderland said: "The phenomenal donation we have received from The Chancellor of the Exchequer, will allow us to work towards fulfilling our mission to provide Yorkshire with the highest quality rapid response emergency service and I express my sincere thanks for this exceptional contribution.

"In planning for the future we have been building up our reserves to ensure we can continue to develop and expand our life saving service by having the most up-to-date aircraft."

The Airbus H145 can be used at night and by military, police and air rescue services around the world – including the Metropolitan Police.

It has a larger cabin and gives paramedics a more modern medical fit-out to treat and transport often critically injured patients.

Mr Osborne said: "I am delighted to able to donate £1m towards funding a new helicopter for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

“It's a brilliant charity that saves lives across Yorkshire, a county very much at the heart of the Northern Powerhouse."