4:45pm Thursday 4th December 2008
By Jill Crooks
The Gazette's campaign to save Wiltshire's much loved and vital air ambulance took a major step forward today.
A final decision which will safeguard the air ambulance for another five years is now expected next Thursday.
But after a briefing which took place in private session today a police spokesman said: "The authority were encouraged by the good progress being made in the negotiations but in order to finally resolve issues relating to the contract further discussions will be held at the police authority's resources committee on December 11."
The existing contract on the police helicopter expires this month and the police is in negotiations with the Great Western Ambulance Service and the supplier of the helicopter, Police Aviation Services.
A Wiltshire Police spokesman said: "Issues relating to the financial and contractural situation regarding the continuance of the Wiltshire Police helicopter/Wiltshire Air Ambulance were discussed at a police authority meeting today."
The Gazette launched a petition to save the air ambulance in May when fundraisers became worried the Great Western Ambulance Service was about to pull out of an agreement with Wiltshire police.
Last month the petition, signed by nearly 20,000 people was presented to ambulance bosses.
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