THE Great Western Air Ambulance Charity (GWAAC) is celebrating what has been described as the biggest week in its history.

The GWAAC has secured planning permission for a new base, as well as celebrating receiving a £1 million grant.

GWAAC has been based on Filton airfield since its first flight in 2008. However the airfield is being developed, which meant that the charity needed a new home to operate from.

After four years of work, in which hundreds of sites were considered, a site in Almondsbury became the preferred option.

With planning permission now granted, work is set to begin on the new base in early 2017, and the charity hope to be operational from the site by the end of the year.

The news comes only a few days after GWAAC also received a £1 million one off grant.

After a long campaign, supported by Cotswold MP Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, GWAAC was one of 11 air ambulance charities awarded an equal share from a £10.8 million pot, made available by HM Treasury from the Libor Fines Fund.

In 2012 it was announced that the proceeds from LIBOR fines should be used to support those that represent the best of values, in particular military and emergency services charities and other related good causes.

GWAAC chief executive John Christensen said he is thrilled with the news, which will secure the long term future of the charity.

Mr Christensen said: “It has been a fantastic week for the charity and is a great way for us to end the year.

"Finding a new base has been a long journey for us, and I am glad that it is now finally over, and we can begin work.

"Our main focus has been to find a site that is easily accessible both by helicopter and car, and the Almondsbury site was the only viable option.

"I am pleased that we will have a modern base that will ensure that we can continue to provide this life-saving service.

"We have received an incredible amount of support from the people in the counties we serve, and cross party support from our local MPs, and we are very grateful to them all.

"However even though we have been awarded this grant it is imperative that we continue our fundraising efforts."