WILTSHIRE Air Ambulance marked the official ground-breaking on the land which will be home to the new Wiltshire Air Ambulance Airbase.

Chief executive of Wiltshire Air Ambulance David Philpott was joined by other members of the team and Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire Sarah Troughton at Outmarsh Farm in Semington on Friday.

The Salisbury Journal is backing the Airbase Appeal to raise the final £1.25 million which will pay for the airbase, bringing the charity’s flying, administration and fundraising operations all together under one roof.

Mr Philpott said: “The total cost of the airbase is £5.1 million and I am happy to say we are 80 per cent of the way there. We received £2.75 million and then received £1 million from the banks and through the Airbase Appeal we can safely say we have already received another £251,000.”

“I am delighted to be part of the ground breaking ceremony for Wiltshire Air Ambulance’s new airbase which marks the next phase in the charity’s history.

Wiltshire Air Ambulance has been saving lives for 27 years and this wonderful custom-built airbase will enable the charity to continue its sterling and important work,” said Mrs Troughton, before using a spade to break the first official chunks of earth for the airbase building.

As well as representatives from Wiltshire Council and other local councils, ambassadors for Wiltshire Air Ambulance also attended the ceremony, including Nick Mason, a founding member of Pink Floyd, who said: “It is a momentous occasion for the ground to be christened.”

Chris Lear, the chairman of WAA, said: “Now that the building work is underway on the airbase it’s more important than ever to support the appeal and raise the remaining funds to enable us to secure the future of our lifesaving service. There are lots of ways that you can get involved.”

To find out more about the airbase appeal go to wiltshireairambulance.co.uk.