The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance (HIOWAA) team has completed its 8,000th mission, 11 years after its formation.

Dr Liz Shewry, specialist critical care paramedics Mike Funge and Oliver Saddler and pilot Marcus Doyle were in attendance for the milestone flight in the charity's H135 air ambulance.

Chief executive Alex Lochrane says: "We are proud to have been able to deliver this life-saving service to so many people across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. We have now been able to reach 8,000 people in their hour of need. This is only possible thanks to the generosity of the local community.

"We are not government funded; our charity is run entirely on donations from the community, for the community. I am truly grateful to anyone who puts some pennies in one of our collection pots, plays our charity lottery, donates monthly or takes on one of our fundraising challenges. Any donation makes such a difference."

HIOWAA recorded 164 call-outs in July, its busiest month to date.