DORSET and Somerset Air Ambulance has flown its 8,000th mission since being launched just over 11 years ago.

The milestone call-out was to transport an 18-month-old child from Shaftesbury to the specialist burns unit at Salisbury District Hospital.

Out of the 788 incidents attended by the air ambulance last year, 51 per cent were in Dorset.

The busiest month was May, with 92 call-outs, followed by August with 75 emergencies and July with 74.The busiest day of the week was Sunday.

Of the patients flown to hospital, 134 were taken to the Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester, 29 to Poole and 14 to the Royal Bournemouth.

Chief executive officer Bill Sivewright said: “We have helped to save countless lives over the years because we can reach any part of the two counties in 19 minutes and we know that patients who receive treatment within the first hour have a much better chance of survival.

The air ambulance relies entirely on donations to cover its running costs.

In June, members of the public can take part in a fundraising cycle road from Watchet in Somerset to West Bay in Dorset.

Entry forms can be downloaded from dsairambulance.org.uk or by ringing 01823 669604.