A fleet of new ambulances has begun serving Keighley's emergency patients.

After six months in production, UV Modular, of Brighouse, last Friday handed over the keys for 29 state of the art Premia vehicles to West Yorkshire Metropolitan Ambulance Service (WYMAS) NHS Trust.

The vehicles replace older ambulances which have now come to the end of their life.

Staff from across the trust have been involved in deciding which vehicle best meets the needs of patients and crews.

They eventually decided on the Premia ambulance, with rear wheel drive and a Mercedes Sprinter diesel chassis.

WYMAS fleet manager Richard Smith said: "We were really impressed with the build quality UV Modular were offering, as well as the local after care support package, which should help us reduce the length of time ambulances are off the road for repair.

"Most importantly, feedback from our crews told us this was the vehicle for them, and as they are going to be working out of them day in day out we took their views very much into consideration."

UV Modular was one of eight manufacturers to tender for the contract, which is worth almost £3 million.

UV Modular's vice-chairman, Gill Wood, said: "We are delighted to have been given the opportunity to work with WYMAS in designing and building the new fleet and to play a small part in the important service they provide.

"We are proud to know that our vehicles will now be serving the community of West Yorkshire."

As well as Keighley, vehicles will be situated at Bradford, Brighouse, Castleford, Dewsbury, Halifax, Huddersfield and Wakefield.

Airedale Primary Care Trust chief executive Kevin Ellis added: "These new vehicles are a vital investment that will not only benefit our patients but also our staff."