Former ambulance trust directors Ann Levick and Dr Richard Riseley-Prichard fear the county is to lose its air ambulance. The pair, who are now advisers to the Great Western Ambulance Service, have written the open letter below to urge people to make a stand to save the helicopter.

It is known that the police are hoping to renew the lease on the helicopter for five years when it expires in December this year.

Attempts to gain commitment for a joint venture are not forthcoming from the Great Western NHS Ambulance Service Trust, the board of the Great Western Trust being the trustees of our air ambulance charity. They only want to commit to one year and this is a problem for the police.

While we have a shared venture with the police, we are the only county that has seven days coverage with 19 hours' flying and the helicopter can reach anywhere in the county within eight minutes. The two services share the costs (our cost is £350,000 per annum), co-operate and support each other when on call-outs but medical needs are given priority. The alternative being considered by GWAST is a dedicated air ambulance for the Great Western Trust, covering three counties and based possibly at Filton. This would not be a 24-hour operation and will not be available until a charity is set up and money has been raised for the venture.

We need to hear from the people of Wiltshire. Do you want to keep our air ambulance?

We will need to ask Great Western to relinquish the trusteeship of our charity and we will need to form our own board of trustees from Wiltshire residents.

If you support this idea, please either contact your MP, set up local petitions, contact your local papers and send letters to: Tim Lynch, Chief Executive, GWAST, Jenner House, Langley Park Estate, Chippenham, SN15 1GG.

But, please, send a copy to: Air Support Unit, Police Headquarters, London Road, Devizes, SN10 2DN.

Petitions are available to sign at Gazette offices in Market Place, Chippenham and Devizes.