Helicopter's early arrival

The helicopter, landing at 9am, will mark the opening of the Sussex Air Ambulance Appeal office at Worthing Fire and Rescue Station and will kick-off a day of festivities for the fire station open day.

The office has been set up to raise the 250,000 needed for the aircraft to be leased by the county so it can respond to emergencies in East and West Sussex.

The new aircraft will carry a specialist trauma doctor, bringing accident and emergency care to patients at the scene of an incident within minutes of receiving a call.

Tony Thorn, campaign manager for the appeal, said: "Sussex is one of only a few counties which does not have its own dedicated Air Ambulance. We hope this new service will bring great comfort to the people of the county who travel its dangerous and congested road network."