London will get a second air ambulance, Chancellor George Osborne has announced.

Charity London Air Ambulance was handed £1 million as part of yesterday's budget.

The second helicopter is only guaranteed for a year, but it is estimated up to 400 additional patients will be reached as a result.

The charity, founded in 1988, has one helicopter based in Whitechapel and since its inception over 30,000 patients inside the M25 have been treated.

Chief executive Graham Hodgkin said: "This is fantastic news for the people of London as it is thanks to their support we are able to celebrate this milestone in the charity’s development.

"£1million will give us the opportunity to acquire a second helicopter to give London 100 per cent air cover during summer daylight hours and maintenance periods."