YOUNGSTERS from a Devizes nursery were flying high after they not only had a tour of the Wiltshire Air Ambulance base but were also treated to a private obedience show from a police dog.

Children from Heathcote House nursery and pre-school visited the helicopter at police headquarters in Devizes after raising £275 for the cause with a series of cake and biscuit bakes.

Nursery principal Stephanie Hall said: "We have been collecting money over a period of a year, with the most recent event being Air Ambulance Bake off Week.

"The children helped to bake cakes and biscuits daily and these were sold to the parents at the end of each nursery session. The children had lots of fun, weighing and measuring, mixing and decorating them ready for sale. The £275 raised was fantastic and we are so pleased to be able to pass it onto such a worthy charity."

During the visit the children met with air ambulance mascot Wilbur and were given a talk by one of the paramedics. There was then an extra treat in store for some youngsters when police dog Arry did an obedience demonstration and some tricks.

Ms Hall said: "The Air Ambulance very kindly invited us up to deliver the funds, see the helicopter and meet Wilbur. We felt this was a really important part of the process for the children, to see where the money goes and talk to the team about how important their work is.

"The children were really engaged by Ross the paramedic, he told them lots of things about the helicopter, where the ambulance takes people, and how it lands. The children love to see the Air Ambulance fly over so being able to see it close up and some of them sit in it was really amazing.

"As an extra special treat, one of the police dogs Arr' came and gave the first group of children a little obedience show, the children were fascinated by the dog and how he could do so many clever tricks. Special thanks to Wiltshire police for the dog show."