A NEW ambulance centre will help keep vehicles on the road for longer.

Work is progressing on the latest South East Coast Ambulance Service (Secamb) Make Ready Centre.

The development at Woollards Field, near the A27 at Falmer, is expected to be operational by the autumn.

Specially trained operatives will regularly deep-clean, restock and check vehicles for mechanical faults at the centre to minimise the risk of cross-infection.

Ambulance staff who currently start and end their shifts in Brighton, Hove and Lewes will instead start and finish at the new centre to improve the service.