AN MP has thanked fundraisers who enable a life saving charity service to thrive.

Clwyd South MP Susan Elan Jones has met with leading representatives of the charity Wales Air Ambulance in Parliament.

She said: "Wales Air Ambulance, with their instantly recognisable red and green helicopters, play such an important part in our Welsh communities that I think it's easy to forget they were only founded 18 years ago.

"In that time, they have saved so many lives in our local area and right across Wales. In a typical year, there are almost 1,900 helicopter missions as well as another 800 plus undertaken by rapid response vehicles.

"Locally, last year that came to 102 call-outs in Wrexham county borough and 127 in Denbighshire.

"There's a very active group of fundraisers locally who raise large amounts of money towards Wales Air Ambulance's vital work. I was pleased to chat with some of them last Saturday at the Ruabon summer fete.

"As local MP, I would like to place on record my thanks to all the volunteers and staff of the Wales Air Ambulance and the Welsh Flying Medics who do so much."