George Bennett has been a paramedic for 20 years, during which time he has seen no less than ten different styles of ambulance, each better than the one before.

He thought the style of the emergency vehicles could not get any better.

That was until now - with the introduction of 29 hi-tech, top-of-the-range models due to hit Bradford's roads next month.

The stylish canary yellow vehicles with pale green interiors will be difficult to miss and have been kitted out with the latest in patient care to offer speed of service and increased comfort.

Mr Bennett, 49, who is group station manager for West Yorkshire Metropolitan Ambulance Service (WYMAS), said: "This is the pinnacle of equipment and there is nothing out there more advanced than this."

Due to hit the streets on April 1, medical staff are excited about using the hi-tech vehicles.

Ray Graham, paramedic and operational supervisor, said: "I am really looking forward to riding around in these.

"First of all it is going to make our lives easier because things are now set out to paramedic specification.

"We have had an input into what we want and where we want it, and because of that we are offering a more efficient service."

One of the biggest life-saving features is the addition of mains electricity which will allow equipment such as incubators to be taken from a hospital and plugged straight into the ambulance.

This will mean that babies born prematurely will be able to receive vital care on ambulances before their arrival at specialist centres.

Equipped with the latest satellite navigation system, the new vehicles will also be able to reach their destination quickly and operators at WYMAS HQ will be able to pinpoint exactly where each of their 110 ambulances is.

The vehicles were commissioned by the WYMAS and made by Brighouse based UV Modular who beat seven other approved manufacturers to secure the £3 million contract.

Costing £100,000 each, the life-saving ambulances took six months to create and have been constructed using a Mercedes frame, wheels and mechanics.

Fitted with air suspension they are more comfortable than their predecessors according to Mr Graham, 50, who has worked for WYMAS for 13 years.

He said: "The ambulance has a more comfortable stretcher which has a quick lock action and means we can get in and out of the vehicle faster than we used to be able to."

A winch and a ramp will help paramedics lift patients into the vehicle and put less strain on staff.

Mr Graham said this was a big plus as one of the biggest problems for ambulance staff was back problems.