"We will use it with pride," says Val Stone, president of Alresford's St John Ambulance division, as the charity takes delivery of a new ambulance.

The £50,000 Crusader, which was paid for by donations, will be used at more than 50 events each year. Val, who led the fund-raising, said: "The people of Alresford have worked hard for this fantastic new ambulance and we will use it with pride at the many events we attend. Our volunteers provide thousands of hours of first aid support every year and this new vehicle will help improve their service to the community." The Crusader, an adapted Vauxhall Zafira, has been designed to accommodate specialist equipment. The Alresford division carries out first-aid duties at activity, sporting, social and cultural events in the town and surrounding areas