Plans for a centre which will be used as a base to clean and prepare ambulances have passed an important milestone.

Wealden District Council has approved proposals to to create the make-ready centre just off the Cophall Farm roundabout in Polegate.

South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Trust's board will now be asked to approve a full business case for the development and it is hoped work on the site will begin shortly.

The centre will act as a base where ambulances can be dropped off, cleaned and restocked ready for its next shift.

Trust senior operations manager for the area, James Pavey, said: “A great deal of effort from the project team has gone into the planning of this centre.

“It will provide us with facilities that will not only ensure that our staff can get on with the job of treating patients rather time spent cleaning and restocking vehicles;, but will also mean local job opportunities.”

Staff currently working at Eastbourne, Hailsham, Heathfield , Newhaven and Uckfield will all begin and end their shifts at the new centre.

However during their shifts, staff will respond from the community response posts based in various locations around these areas.

The centre is expected to be up and running next year.