A band of north Norfolk performers have shown their appreciation for a life-saving community service.

The White Horse Players presented the East Anglian Air Ambulance chief executive, Patrick Peal, with a cheque for £445 this week, raised by proceeds from their latest pantomime: Peter Pan in Overstrand.

Mr Peal said: 'I am delighted to receive this very generous donation from the White Horse Players. We receive no government funding and rely totally on the generosity of the people from within the counties that we serve.'

He continued: 'Since we formed in 2001 we have undertaken over 23,000 flights and when you consider that the average cost per mission is £3,000 you can see that every penny we receive makes a real difference to the service we can offer.'

The East Anglian Air Ambulance is one of 21 emergency service helicopter groups operated throughout the UK who in total fly some 50 helicopters.

Pantomime director Guy Bartlett, said: 'Our aim is to have fun and enjoy each performance. Our rehearsal schedule is hard work, creative and fun and at the end of it we have a show that we can be proud of and we hope totally involves the audience.'

He added: 'We are very proud to have donated money from this years show to The East Anglian Air Ambulance as well as supporting Overstrand Together, both although very different causes, have one aim in mind and that is to help and support people.'