NEW ambulances are travelling on roads in Essex earlier than scheduled.

120 replacement ambulances have been spread around the region by the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust in an attempt to improve the service.

Chief Executive Dr Anthony Marsh said: "I'm delighted these ambulances have been delivered; our staff have worked incredibly hard in order to make this happen so quickly.

"This is just the beginning.

"We will have no vehicle older than five years by spring next year."

The trust is also recruiting 400 new student paramedics.

Dr Marsh said: "We know we have a lot of work to do in order to improve the service, but this is a great sign that we are on the right track."