THE North-west Air Ambulance is moving closer to Bolton to help save more lives.

The emergency helicopter is to start using new landing sites across the region so it can react quicker to major incidents.

In the past, the air ambulance had used its only base at Blackpool Airport. Now, six new landing sites and temporary bases are being earmarked.

The first to be named, and the pad which will serve Bolton, is next to the accident and emergency department at Wythenshawe Hospital in south Manchester. It comes into operation tomorrow. Paul Crone, director of communications for North West Air Ambulance, said: "This site at Wythenshawe means the helicopter will be able to travel to Bolton in two minutes. It will certainly benefit people in the area."

The air ambulance has often travelled from Blackpool to the town to rescue people, especially those hurt in the Rivington area, which is difficult to access by paramedics on the road. Casualties can be airlifted to the Royal Bolton Hospital for treatment.

The new approach is a bid to expand the service and secure the future development of the charity. The service needs £60,000 a month to keep the helicopter airborne and receives no mainstream funding.

At present, the charity has no main sponsor and none has come forward since the AA's funding ended in May 2002.

The helicopter covers 5,500 square miles and a population of seven million. It operates seven days a week, 365 days a year.

Chief executive Lynda Brislin said: "We'll still be using the base at Blackpool. We are making sure the service is more accessible to the whole of the North-west and not just one county."

The air ambulance attends major motorway incidents, serious incidents, serious road accidents, incidents involving poor road access, farming accidents and walking and climbing accidents.

"This is a very exciting development and we believe it is the way forward not just for the charity, but for every air ambulance across the UK.