KENT'S Air Ambulance has been given an airlift after supermarket staff and customers donated thousands of pounds.

Sainsbury's, in Northfleet, raised £5,000 in its Penny Back scheme, where customers can donate a penny to charity when they re-use carrier bags.

Staff then boosted the amount to £10,514 after the store in Wingfield Bank, Pepperhill, was chosen to nominate the charity for cash raised in a nationwide in-store lottery.

Administration manager Denise Hastings handed the money over to Kent Air Ambulance Trust chief executive Kate Chivers and one of the paramedics Chris Burton.