After 75 night flights, the Devon Air Ambulance is proving to be a valuable asset to the county and set to expand across the South Hams.

The rescue service has 54 official landing sites across the South Hams including one at Kingsbridge RFC. Additionally landing sites can be found in Malborough, Salcombe, East Prawle, Loddiswell and Modbury.

In the process of expansion, various other areas are in the process of creating further landing spaces for the DAA such as in Thurlestone, Bigbury-On-Sea, Ringmore, Chillington, Stokenham Strete, Blackawton and Dittisham.

Toby Russell, Community Landing Sites Development Officer has said: “Currently there are 55 live sites at the minute and we hope to have 250 over the next few years.”

At Stokenham, the council and a representative from Devon Air Ambulance have surveyed the parish and found that the playing field at Stokenham Primary could be a suitable location.

The school governors have considered the request and confirmed that they are in support. The next stage would be a meeting between Devon Air Ambulance, the parish council and Anne Bowyer from the Stokenham Village Community Centre Association.

Anne and the parish council have used the recent Apple Day to raise funds towards the provision of a night landing area.

Chillington Playing Field has also been identified as being a possible suitable location.

Bigbury parish council have also been working closely with Toby Russell for a number of months, where he has undertaken a review of the area and identified the only suitable landing site to be at Bigbury golf course.

A spokesperson on behalf of the council has said: “The value of having a night landing site within the community cannot be underestimated and the parish council will fully support the initiative through funding over and above that raised from donations, grants and community events.

“It is hoped, the night landing site can be fully operational by Spring 2018, ahead of the tourist season when the population of Bigbury increases significantly.”