AMATEUR performers have raised more than £1,000 to help keep the Yorkshire Air Ambulance flying.

Members of Rawdon Amateur Operatic Society - which has now merged with Horsforth Grove Amateurs - raised £1,100 from their last show in November, and from carol singing at Christmas.

Society member Tish Stephenson visited the air ambulance's base at Multiflight, Leeds Bradford Airport, to present the cash to the charity.

Flying paramedics Steve Wilson and Chris Coden, along with helicopter pilot John Sutherland, accepted the cheque.

The ambulance requires £1 million to keep on flying and relies on charitable donations. Since it was launched in October 2000, it had flown more than 1,300 missions and has attended several serious road traffic accidents.