MOTHER Angela Pope is supporting the Gazette's campaign to save the Wiltshire Air Ambulance to whom she says she owes her baby's life.

Mrs Pope, 28, of Fuller Close, Chippenham, believes if she had not been saved by an air crew after an car crash in 2005 she would not have even fallen pregnant with new baby Chloe.

She was travelling home from her job at the Leigh Delamare service station when her car slid on mud and collided head on with an oncoming car.

Within half an hour the air ambulance crew had arrived, cut her from the car and flown her to the Royal United Hospital in Bath where doctors discovered she had a fractured her leg, foot and shoulder.

She said: "I have no doubt that I would have been left disabled if I had not been saved by the air ambulance and so may not have even have fallen pregnant.

"I was in hospital for a month and it took a further six months to fully recover."

Baby Chloe was born just eight weeks ago. Mrs Pope said: "I am thankful for her every single day. I urge everyone to put their full support behind this campaign and sign the Gazette petition - it could be the most important signature you ever make."

Horse rider Sharon Hockey has also backed the campaign. Ms Hockey, of Blacklands near Calne, suffered an open fracture to her right leg while riding at Rabson Manor at Winter-bourne Bassett on June 6.

A horse ridden by her partner, Robert Denman, kicked Ms Hockey's horse and also caught Ms Hockey's leg.

Due to the nature of the injury and because a land ambulance was not available, a paramedic called for the air ambulance.

Within minutes, Ms Hockey was flown to the Great Western Hospital in Swindon where her shin bone was pinned in a three hour operation. She returned home after five days in hospital and is now on crutches.

Ms Hockey, the owner of Wiltshire Garden Marquees, said described the air ambulance staff as a really professional, caring bunch".

She said: "It would be a very poor decision to end a service that works well and is cost effective. I know the Wiltshire Air Ambulance airlifts a lot of horse riders after accidents.

"In my case my injury was not life threatening but being flown to hospital quickly reduced the extent of the injury."

Great Western Ambulance Service wants to tear up its five-year deal with Wiltshire police to share the helicopter and sign a two-year agreement. But the police want a minimum period of five years when the current contract expires in December. If they cannot reach an agreement the air ambulance will cease flying in December.

n The Gazette's petition will be available to sign at the Barbury Horse Trials which takes place from tomorrow to Sunday at Barbury Castle near Marlborough.