The familiar blue and white Kent Air Ambulance has taken to the skies again.

The MD 902 Explorer - normally flown by the charity from its base in Marden - was replaced with another model of helicopter last week while it underwent safety checks.

John Tickner, the charity's director of operations, said: "Our maintenance company advised safety checks on both our helicopters after the London Air Ambulance's helicopter developed a fault.

"Both our aircraft have been thoroughly checked, a small adjustment has been made, and they are safe to fly."

Kent Air Ambulance leases two helicopters, one based at Marden and the other on the Surrey-Sussex border.

It has a maintenance and repair agreement and there is a replacement helicopter available when the charity's own aircraft is unable to fly due to technical problems.