The air ambulance trust that serves Maldon and the surrounding villages is celebrating after smashing an appeal to raise funds for its new Essex airbase.

The original target set by Essex & Herts Air Ambulance (EHAAT) in its 'Buy-a-Brick' appeal for the new airbase in North Weald was £20,000. However, after help and support from TV star Ray Winstone the appeal really 'took off' - and raised nearly double, at close to £40,000.

The video appeal from Ray - who is the charity's celebrity patron - asked the people and businesses of Essex and Hertfordshire to "purchase a brick or two". A total of just over 700 bricks were sold, including 253 Platinum bricks at £100, which will see supporters' names recorded in a virtual book and included in a special wall mural.

The 'Buy-a-Brick' wall mural will be located in the walkway to the helicopter viewing area which will be accessible from a new interactive visitor centre.

It is hoped that once government restrictions are fully lifted visitor centre tours will be possible towards the end of the year.

Pam Withrington, Fundraising and Marketing Director at EHAAT said: "I'd like to say a huge thank you to all our supporters for backing this appeal which, thanks also to Ray's help, has been incredibly successful.

"He has been a keen supporter of the charity for many years and his endorsement really gave this campaign a boost. As soon as we started sharing the video which he kindly made for us, the number of people buying our virtual bricks increased dramatically.

"The new airbase at North Weald will help secure the future of our life-saving service for the people of Essex and Hertfordshire for decades to come, and everyone who has who contributed to our Buy-a-Brick appeal will have played a part in that legacy."

EHAAT took possession of the new airbase, which will take the place of EHAAT's existing leased facility at North Weald, in February. It is currently being fitted out for use and will become operational later this month.

For more information about EHAAT and its work, visit the charity's website here. A time-lapse video showing progress on the new airbase can be viewed here.