St John Ambulance’s 4x4 vehicles have been in demand across the South West this weekend to support emergency services to cope in the snow.

On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the charity’s vehicles were utilised in the Bristol, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire areas.

The ambulances, some of which were staffed by the charity’s trained ambulance crews, are specifically designed to be used in difficult terrain and weather conditions.

Incidents included transporting patients to hospitals and responding to road traffic collisions.

Steve Hargreaves, regional director (ambulance and first aid) for St John Ambulance in the South West, said: "St John Ambulance has a vital role to play during weather like these by assisting our NHS Ambulance partners.

"Over the weekend we supplied our 4x4 ambulances, some of which were crewed by us and some of which were used by ambulance services, on 34 occasions.

"Our 4x4 ambulances are specifically designed to tackle harder terrain and are fully equipped like a normal ambulance which makes them very useful at times like these.

"We remain ready to assist wherever we may be needed at this time."