A fleet of new ambulances will take to the roads to transport patients in the east of England this winter.

The East of England Ambulance Service Trust is set to have 40 new vehicles on the road by December to replace the ageing Mercedes and early-generation Fiats.

The new Renault Master model, which will make up 10pc of ambulances at the trust, will be fitted with technology to turn off idling engines, cutting fuel use and reducing emissions. 

Wayne Lawlor, head of fleet for the EEAST said: “Our fleet of vehicles are worked hard seven days and week.

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"Covering more than one million miles a month and our Mercedes ambulances are due to be retired this year.

"The new Renaults will replace these and our crews and patients will have the benefit of newer ambulances as we go into the worst months of winter. "

Further vehicles will also be joining the fleet over the autumn including Ford Transits and MAN TGE models.