Kent's life-saving air ambulance service is back in the skies today after volcanic dust grounded it.

It means the two choppers operated by Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance will now be able to respond to emergency calls.

The Marden-based charity was told it was too dangerous to fly last Friday after experts warned of dust in the air over southern England.

And while the ban was in force, rescuers were forced to use response cars to get to 13 incidents.

But at 10.30am today both aircraft were cleared for flying - although only to emergencies.

Air ambulance chief executive John Tickner said: "This situation is almost unprecedented and the decision to take the helicopter offline was a very difficult one.

"It is vital that we do not put either our crews or patients at risk, if there is one.

"However we have to weigh this up against not providing such a critical service.

"Fortunately, the decisions are ultimately made for us by experts, whose knowledge is far greater than our own.

"They have assured us that it is now safe to fly and we will continue to review developments."