THE North West Air Ambulance will launch a £500,000 public appeal for a new helicopter in Kendal on Monday.

Charity officials at the region's vital emergency service must raise half a million pounds to replace the 30-year-old aircraft it uses at the moment.

Gulf War POW and Tornado navigator John Nichol is to officially launch the appeal - Operation Eagle - on September 6 in a day-long tour across the North West on board the new helicopter that the air ambulance hopes to lease.

The ambulance will be visiting the Plumgarth Industrial Estate, Crook Road, at around 2.30pm on Monday.

At present, the North West Air Ambulance covers 5,500 square miles and serves a population of seven million people. So far, the charity has saved hundreds of lives and is called out several times a day.

The charity receives no Government funding, and has to find £65,000 every month to keep the helicopter in the air.

John Nichol was on active duty in the Gulf when he was shot down on the first low-level, daylight raid of the first Gulf War. Captured and tortured, he was paraded on television provoking worldwide condem-nation and leaving one of the enduring images of the conflict.

Charity chief executive Lynda Brislin said: "John embodies everything the air ambulance and its paramedics stand forstrength, courage, commitment and dedication.

"We are absolutely delighted that John is launching Operation Eagle and we would urge every single person in the North West to support our appeal for a new helicopter and to start raising funds straightaway. You never know when you might need the air ambulance."

The charity is calling on big businesses and companies around the region to step forward and show their commitment to the North West and the people who live there.

It's hoped the present German Bolkow helicopter will be replaced with a brand new state of the art EC 135 helicopter.

The new EC 135 has several advantages over the present helicopter. They are: l Quicker and smoother, with less vibration, meaning a better flight for patients.

l An enclosed rear rotor means it is a lot safer.

l The helicopter has bigger fuel tanks and can fly for longer without refuelling.

l The EC 135 can have state-of-the-art technology on board.

l There is more room for paramedics to work on board.

l Patients can be loaded on to the helicopter much quicker through a side door.

l The aircraft has a top speed of around 155mph.

Ms Brislin added: "We're doing this because we have no option. We have to replace the old helicopter before it legally has to be withdrawn from service.

"The North West Air Ambulance belongs to everyone in the region, and we would urge people to support this new appeal."