A NEW ambulance, which has been bought by Melksham's St John Ambulance, is being dedicated at a service tomorrow.

The Melksham division has bought a brand new Crusader ambulance costing £54,000.

Money for the vehicle has been raised through county-wide fundraising events as well as by volunteers from the Melksham division themselves.

The new vehicle is part of the Wiltshire St John Ambulance's 10-year ambulance replacement programme.

Commander Colonel Robert Rowe will also be taking part in the ceremony.

Andrew Freestone, divisional superintendent for Melksham, said: "Our old ambulance is on its last legs. The new Crusader will be a real boost to the division.

"It is fitted out with all the latest equipment and will soon be seen out and about on public duties."

Last year Melksham division covered 84 public duties with volunteers providing 5,961 hours of First Aid cover.

Mr Freestone added: "All out volunteers are to be thanked for the services they provide to the Melksham community."

The ambulance will be dedicated by the Reverend David Coulter, chaplain of St John Ambulance Wiltshire at the United Reformed Church in Melksham at 2.30pm on Saturday.

The new crusader ambulance is the first in the county to use St John Ambulance's new corporate identity and the first duty on which it will be seen will be a modern pentathlon at Bath University on Sunday.