FANTASTIC fundraisers across the north west have been digging deep to boost the televised Care In The Air Appeal - and generous people in Culcheth and Appleton Thorn have played their part in raising more than £140,000.

Roving reporter Paul Crone, from Granada TV, has walked 250 miles over the past three weeks in support of the region's air ambulance.

The energetic trekker finished his marathon walk in Appleton Thorn on Friday night, after walking from Upton, and revealed that this year's appeal had been the most successful yet.

Around £142,000 will go towards new equipment for the North West Air Ambulance, enabling them to continue treating people involved in accidents across the region.

Paul, who has now completed seven television appeals for charities and community groups not only in the north west but around the world, said: "I wanted to wear a t-shirt to say thank you to everyone who has supported us.

"I've just walked over the past three weeks but the paramedics and members of the North West Air Ambulance team work year in, year out.

"We've managed to collect an extraordinary amount of money and people have really made a difference as it's been the most successful appeal yet."

Lucy Cotter, locations manager for the regional walk, said: "We've called at 14 locations over the past three weeks and Paul has headed six appeals before this one.

"On previous occasions he's always chosen big cities to call at but this appeal was different.

"He wanted smaller communities to get involved and everyone has just been brilliant.

"People have been lining the streets to give us money and little old ladies have even donated £10 from their pensions."

The North West Air Ambulance helps thousands of people across the region but receives no funding from the Government and it takes more than £700,000 a year to keep a helicopter airborne.

Among the donations on Friday evening were a £50 cheque from Warrington Market Traders' Association, £50 from Appleton Thorn School of Dance and £200 from Appleton Thorn Village Hall.

Paul West, one of the air ambulance paramedics, said: "We're more like an ambulance than a search and rescue team and we're based at Blackpool Airport.

"We can be at the scene of an accident within minutes, whereas it could take much longer by road. The money Paul and the team have managed to collect will go towards providing new equipment for the helicopter, basically whatever is needed."