THE DORSET and Somerset Air Ambulance will be flying into action to raise awareness in the two counties.

The charity is holding events to mark National Air Ambulance Week from September 21 to September 27.

Subject to operational requirements, the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance's EC135 helicopter and crew will fly in to two awareness events in the week.

Local residents will be given the chance to meet the crew and explore the helicopter.

The pilot and critical care team will be on hand to answer questions from members of the public.

Tracy Bartram, Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance communications manager, said: "National Air Ambulance Week is now a firm fixture on many people’s event calendars.

"It is a time when air ambulance charities across the UK come together in a bid to raise awareness of the service we provide to local communities.

"Many people see or experience the work of the air ambulance when it is attending an incident, therefore they do not have the opportunity to talk with our team or see the helicopter up close.

"The scheduled fly-ins are aimed at doing just that and we hope that people will take the time to come and meet our team.

"Our priorities obviously remain to helping those in need. This is why the scheduled fly-ins are subject to any operational commitments that we might have on the day."

The first event is at St Dunstan's School in Glastonbury in Somerset on Tuesday, September 22 and the second is at Hengitsbury Head from 11am on Friday, September 25.