A LIFESAVING Essex charity is celebrating after being given a tax break in the Budget.

Chancellor George Osborne announced last week air ambulances will no longer pay VAT on fuel.

The team at the Essex Air Ambulance were delighted with the news.

It will save the charity an estimated £5,500 each year - the cost of two life-saving missions.

Cliff Gale, operations director at the Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust, said: “On behalf of everyone at the charity I would like to thank those within our community who have been involved in petitioning the Government on behalf of all Air Ambulance Charities.

“It is their efforts which have resulted in this landmark announcement.

“The cost per mission is £2,500 so potentially two more lives could be saved every year, which is priceless.”