Patients will get a quicker response from the new Wiltshire Air Ambulance - a Canadian Bell 429 - as it has a top speed of 180mph, compared with the current helicopter's 161mph.

Unveiled at a ceremony in Salisbury yesterday it goes into service in the New Year.

Paramedic Louise Cox said: “It will get us to the scene quickly and it’s got a larger capacity in the back which gives us greater scope for providing care to the patient in-flight.

“Depending on the wind speed and weight on board, you’ll be able to get from Chippenham to the major trauma centre at Southmead in 10 to 11 minutes.”

She and the other paramedics and pilots will begin new training next month and from spring 2015 they will have had adequate training to start flying after dark as well as in the daytime.

On seeing their new arrival, David Philpott, WAA chief executive, said: “I am not a helicopter person but I am passionate about saving lives, and this will make a vital difference in if a little girl still has a daddy.

“I am not an expert so I deferred to the people who are and they tell me this is the best.”

The aircraft is worth $8 million (£5m) but the charity has not paid this. Instead it is leasing it and will be able to swap it for a new one in five years time.

“It is future-proof,” said Mr Philpott.

The cost of keeping it operational for a year, including the lease, will be £2.5m, compared with £700,000 for the current helicopter.

But he was confident this could be sustained.

“We’re coming to the end of our financial year and it looks like we have turned over close to that,” he said.

“The people of Wiltshire have been amazing.”

He said businesses paid a total of £50,000 sponsorship to have a presence at yesterday’s launch event.