THE Scottish Ambulance Service has signed a deal to take on 80 new Volkswagen ambulances.

The half a million pound deal with the John Clark Motor Group’s Volkswagen Van Centre is part of a £10 million investment in new vehicles across Scotland.

Russell Page, head of service for the Scottish Ambulance Service North East Division, said: ‘The ambulance service fulfils a vital role across all of Scotland and it is essential that we update our fleet to maintain high patient service standards and continue to exceed stringent clinical standards.

‘The reliability of our front line and emergency response vehicles is crucial.

‘We need to be sure we can mobilise vehicles immediately to respond. We have already noted how the reliability of the new Volkswagens helps us to reduce our service and maintenance costs.’