THE newly formed North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust officially launched on Saturday.

Services from Greater Manchester, Cumbria, Mersey and Lancashire have merged to form the trust, following the announcement from health minister Lord Warner that the number of services nationwide was being reduced.

The new trust, which will operate from its Ladybridge Hall, Bolton headquarters, will cover an area of 5,500 square miles and will serve the needs of seven million people.

This mammoth task is something newly appointed chief executive John Burnside is looking forward to tackling.

The former Kent Ambulance NHS Trust chief executive said: "This is excellent news for the region. The new organisation will create greater strategic, operational and financial capacity and capability.

"It is of a size that enables appropriate investment in people and resources to underpin current and future service provision.

"The result will be a more proactive, efficient and dynamic service, delivering a high standard of care that meets patient need."