THE Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust has welcomed the opening of the new helipad at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth.

The new facility means that, for the first time, night flights from the Cornwall Air Ambulance will be able to land at the hospital.

Paula Martin, air ambulance chief executive, said: 'We're extremely proud to have played a part in making this purpose-built helipad a reality.

'This facility will make a real difference to patients from Cornwall suffering serious trauma injuries.

'The helipad is especially important to us as the first air ambulance in the region to fly in the hours of darkness because it safeguards our ability to get our patients to the best possible treatment even after dark.'