He was given a tour of their base, at Norwich International Airport, and found out about their day-to-day work.

He said: “The carnival money is being used to keep the service going. I couldn’t believe how much it costs to send it up and how many times they get called out.

“Someone I know at Wilby had a bad fall and damaged her back and had to be picked up by the ambulance, so I was very interested.

“You have to support it because it might be one of us needing it one day.”

The Diss Carnival raised £1,250 for the air ambulance and a similar amount for the town’s Christmas lights appeal.

Many positions on the organising group for the 2009 carnival have been filled but more volunteers are needed.

Next year’s parade and fun day will be on Sunday, June 21, and will again unite with the previous evening’s Diss Rotary Club-organised Proms in the Park to make a weekend of carnival fun.

The theme will be ‘decades’ and several of this year’s float entries are already planning their designs.

The next planning meeting is at Diss Corn Hall on Thursday, December 4, 7.15pm. Anyone is welcome to attend. For more details contact 01379 652352.

WebWatch: www.eastanglian airambulance.org.uk

www.dissexpress/carnival