A unique collaboration between Sussex Air Ambulance, Sussex Police and South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Trust means that from April 1 the Sussex Police helicopter kitted out with life saving medical equipment will be helping to save more lives.

David Philpott, chief executive of the Sussex Air Ambulance, said, "We have for sometime been working alongside the police helicopter based at Shoreham in daylight hours, with both our helicopters being available in the county and used according to the need.

"This new partnership brings us a step closer to being able to offer an enhanced helicopter emergency medical service to the people of Sussex during the hours of darkness as well as during the day.

"If it is successful the charity will move towards putting a specialist doctor on board and this will save even more lives."

Hotel 900, the police helicopter has been flying in Sussex since 1987. South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Trust has funded, and will continue to fund a paramedic on board the helicopter.

This new initiative, however, which is funded by the charity, guarantees the continuation and extension of a service that has benefited the people of Sussex for many years.

If successful, the charity plans to add a critical care doctor to the aircrew at night, which will mean a significant enhancement to the service being offered.

The police helicopter is an MD 902 Explorer, the same type of aircraft that is used by the air ambulance.

Night flying equipment allows the helicopter to navigate safely over towns and the countryside alike.

Assistant Chief Constable of Sussex Police, Jeremy Paine, said, "The successful partnership we have enjoyed with South East coast ambulance service over a number of years means that we are happy to extend our involvement in the life saving work that this collaboration supports.

"As an emergency service we understand too well the difference timely medical help can make to a severely injured person.

"This collaboration allows us to invest further in our helicopter so it can support future police operations in Sussex, as well as providing night time air cover in a medical emergency."