Herts & Essex Newspaper readers played a major part in getting Hertfordshire its first-ever air ambulance.

Three of the company’s titles – the Hertfordshire Mercury, the Bishop’s Stortford Observer and the Herts and Lea Valley Star – became main media sponsors when the Air Ambulance Trust launched an appeal to raise £250,000 for an emergency helicopter.

Now, less than a year after the campaign began, the target has been reached.

Group editor-in-chief, Colin Grant, said: “It’s fantastic news and our readers have played a major role in helping to raise the money.

“The air ambulance is something that anyone might need at any time and the appeal really struck a chord with so many of our readers – from all age groups and walks of life.”

The Air Ambulance Trust now hopes to have its own helicopter in operation in Hertfordshire by the early autumn.