Hampshire ambulances could soon be the first in the country to carry advertisements.

Sponsorship could bring in as much as £250,000 a year say Hampshire Ambulance Service Trust bosses who are looking to plug a budget deficit of £900,000 this year.

A spokesman for the trust said adverts for "inappropriate" products, such as tobacco or alcohol, would not be accepted. It was one of many money-making ideas currently being considered by the trust to avoid cuts to the service.

On behalf of the ambulance crew, Jim Barnett, the joint shop stewards committee chairman, gave the idea a cautious welcome.

"The advertising would have to be very seriously vetted so that it was suitable.

"If it generated a lot of income, I don't think we could object too strongly because it would be for the benefit of our members to have more vehicles on the road and more crews.

"But, somehow, I don't think it is going to happen."

Hampshire already has a rapid response vehicle operating at Fawley which displays the logo of sponsor, oil giant Esso.