A lifesaving air ambulance service which covers Hertfordshire including Hitchin has taken possession of its brand-new purpose-built airbase.

Essex & Herts Air Ambulance's new home will house one of their two helicopters, and two of its rapid response vehicles, the new building has areas for training, mentoring, patient liaison and fundraising.

There is also provision for cross training with other emergency services with part of the new airbase hosting a dedicated interactive visitor centre which will allow the charity to welcome and engage with supporters.

Jane Gurney from the ambulance team said: "The opportunity to design and build our own airbase has allowed us to include elements such as dedicated areas for training along with an interactive visitor centre for our supporters, who we look forward to welcoming to this incredible new building when such visits become possible again.

"On behalf of the trustees and the executive team I would like to thank Barnes Construction, associated partners and suppliers for all their hard work and support in seeing this project through to completion in such a professional manner especially with the added pressures the pandemic presented.

"I would also like to thank our amazing fundraisers and donors for helping us secure the future operation of the charity."

The new building, which includes a hangar which is capable of housing two helicopters when necessary, for example, to permit aircraft maintenance, also has underground heating beneath the helipad to keep it free of snow and ice during the winter months.

The building has been designed with `green' issues very much to the fore. It includes charging points for electric cars and photovoltaic panels on the roof which will generate electricity. Any excess will be supplied to the National Grid.

There is bicycle parking for staff who wish to cycle to work and as much waste as possible will be recycled.

The building has been well insulated in order to retain heat and reduce noise pollution and it will make as much use as possible of natural light in order to save on electricity.

Work has now begun on the internal fit out phase, and it is scheduled to become operational by June of this year.

Visit ehaat.org/north-weald-airbase/ to see a time-lapse of the complete external build.