SPORTING legends climbed aboard to help to launch the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity's brand new air ambulance.

F1 motor racing’s Nigel Mansell and England rugby world cup star Mike Tindall were on hand to officially launch the new H145 upgraded helicopter which has entered the charity’s fleet.

The sporting stars, who are both ambassadors for the Lye-based charity, helped to deliver the new Airbus to its new home at RAF Cosford in Shropshire.

The new helicopter, which will undertake an average of three air ambulance missions each day, was funded thanks to donations from big-hearted members of the public - plus a £1million grant from the department of culture, media and sport.

Set to take to the skies for lifesaving missions from Monday February 26 - the Airbus will be able to travel greater distances without the need for refuelling and its increased speed capability will enable aircrew to respond to incidents faster than ever before. Its large interior will also mean extra crew members can be flown to major incidents and extra medical kit can be carried on board.

Racing legend Nigel Mansell CBE, regarded as one of the greatest Formula One drivers of all time, said: “I am delighted to have been asked - along with Mike - to help deliver and handover this incredible state of the art lifesaving helicopter to the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, which will continue to help save thousands of lives.

"It is important to also help continue to raise awareness of the lifesaving work of the charity, which has such a close connection to Formula One and motorsport and to every one of us who drives on Britain’s busiest roads and motorway networks each day.

“We only ever appreciate the real value of the air ambulance when we may be unfortunate to either be in a road traffic accident or to witness one. The speed of the air ambulances are critical in these circumstances."

Mike Tindall MBE said it was “a huge honour and a privilege” to see first hand how the new Airbus will help to save lives and he added: "The new helicopter will allow the crews to travel further, faster and provide even more lifesaving trauma equipment.

"It will also allow the charity to continue its amazing lifesaving work for many more years to come.”

The air ambulance charity, which has undertaken more than 49,000 missions since it was set up in 1991, has to raise more than £9million to keep its three helicopters airborne 365 days each year and serving the counties of the West Midlands, Worcestershire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire.