The Maple Cross company behind the widening of the M25 has donated £20,000 to Hertfordshire and Essex Air Ambulance Service to help with the cost of missions on the motorway.

The cheque was presented to the air ambulance trust by Skanska Balfour Beatty Joint Venture which has recently completed a number of widening projects on the road.

The donation has been welcomed by the trust’s fundraising manager Helena Morgan. She said: "We are extremely grateful to Skanska Balfour Beatty and everyone involved in the M25 widening project for its very generous donation.

"Support like this is vital to keep the life-saving helicopters flying to the critically ill and injured in the region.

"Without direct government or National Lottery funding, the charity relies on the support of businesses and the public to raise the £380,000 needed every month to remain operational."

Skanska Balfour Beatty’s managing director David Blackburn added: "We’re delighted to be able to help support such a worthy cause.

"The work the Air Ambulance undertakes is one of a kind and we hope the money we have donated helps the charity in its endeavour to provide a life-saving service."