The Sidmouth woman whose son’s tragic death led to the establishment of Devon Air Ambulance was on the scene when the charity’s second helicopter was unveiled.

Ann Thomas, who started an appeal after an accident which claimed the life of Ceri, travelled from her Cayman Islands home specially to see the new custom aircraft.

She said she was ‘absolutely delighted’ that the charity has come so far in 21 years, and knows that her son would also have been proud.

Ceri died after being knocked off his bike in Sidbury.

Ann was told that time was of the essence, so she started the appeal that funded the first air ambulance.

The second helicopter was funded through public support from the residents of Devon, who got the chance to get close to it in Exmouth last week.