MORE than 60 new ambulances are on order to help tackle the demands currently faced by the emergency service.

The 63 vehicles will be provided to South Western Ambulance Service Trust (SWAST) thanks to funding from the government, which was initially earmarked last year.

A SWAST spokesperson confirmed the ambulances had been ordered and it was hoped that they would be available for use by early-February.

The overall pool of £36.3million of funding was split between SWAST, which covers Dorset down to Cornwall, London Ambulance Service, Yorkshire Ambulance Service, East Midlands Ambulance Service, North West Ambulance Service and East of England Ambulance Service.

Stephen Barclay MP, who was health secretary when the finances were first announced, said the new ambulances would help deal with pressures, especially during the winter months.