FLYING fundraisers dropped into Bromsgrove yesterday to meet a civic leader who hopes to raise lots of cash for the County Air Ambulance service.

Representatives of the high flying medics met Bromsgrove District Council's chairman, councillor David Hancox (Con - Uffdown and Waseley).

Their visit to the Council House, complete with the fuselage of one of the service's original machines, was to thank Cllr Hancox for choosing to support the charity during his year in office.

Cllr Hancox told the Advertiser/Messenger: "The County Air Ambulance does an invaluable job and since its formal launch in May 1991, has saved many lives by being able to get injured people to hospital very quickly."

The ex-operational aircraft was driven to Burcot Lane on a trailer from the charity's headquarters in Dudley.

The charity's fundraising development manager, Paul Weir, said: "We're delighted to receive this much appreciated support.

"The Air Ambulance exists for people throughout the region and that's why the district council's support means so much to us."

Three helicopters cover 10 counties, including Worcestershire, and serve a population of 7.8 million.

"We cover 180 missions a month and over 11 years have totalled 13,000.

"Call outs cover all sorts of accidents and emergencies.

"Fifty per cent are road traffic accidents.

"The second highest is 'fall overs' and the third is horse riding accidents," added Mr Weir.