THE Avon and Somerset police helicopter is likely to stay in Filton for years to come.

As previously reported, the aircraft had been earmarked for a move to Wiltshire when the constabulary joins the National Police Air Service next year.

But Dr Peter Heffer, the chairman of the police authority, told the Evening Post he was confident it will stay close to Bristol, where most of its callouts come from, even after BAE Systems sells Filton Airfield.

The police authority has agreed "in principle" to sign up to the NPAS, which will reduce the number of police helicopters from 31 to 23, pooled across England and Wales, flying out of 20 bases.

Avon and Somerset police currently shares air operations with Gloucestershire under the name Western Counties Air Operations Unit, but the new arrangement would also include aircraft being available to Wiltshire constabulary.

The force would give up its helicopter, but would have use of the pooled, newer helicopters, and not be liable for repair costs nor replacing the aircraft at as much as £6 million a time. This is expected to save the force as much as £220,000 per year.

The plan as it stands would have helicopters based in RAF Colerne and in South Wales, which Avon and Somerset police would be able to use, but none based inside the force area.

But, with the backing of the constabulary, Dr Heffer recently met Chief Constable Alex Marshall, who will lead the NPAS, and urged him to consider allowing the helicopter to stay in Filton, its home since 1995.

Dr Heffer said: "The authority agreed in principle to join the NPAS, with a number of caveats. Members were worried what affect having the helicopter based in Wiltshire might have on the service. I think we've managed to sway the national scheme to have a serious look at keeping Filton as the future base."

Dr Heffer said if the aircraft did stay in Filton it meant saving less.

"We may not get as much savings, but for me it is the operational requirements that mean so much more than saving a bit of extra money," he added. "We would still be part of the national scheme, but would be able to service the area where the helicopter is most needed. It is clearly better to have that chopper based on our patch than elsewhere."

BAe Systems is planning to close Filton Airfield by the end of next year. However, company spokeswoman Karen Mitchell said: "BAE Systems has committed to the Great Western Air Ambulance Charity and the Western Counties Air Operations Unit emergency helicopters, if they wish, being able to continue operations from within the perimeter of Filton Airfield, following the airfield's closure and subsequent development."

The constabulary's Assistant Chief Constable Rod Hansen: "There are some good operational reasons for continuing to use Filton as a base for our helicopter. We are pleased Filton is now being considered alongside RAF Colerne as a possible operating base, however no decision has yet been taken and our discussions on this issue continue."