Campaigners fighting to save the Welshpool air ambulance base have taken the first formal step towards appealing a High Court decision which upheld its planned closure.

The Save Wales Air Ambulance – Welshpool Base Campaign Group has confirmed that its legal team has submitted an application for permission to appeal the ruling made earlier this month by Mr Justice Turner.

The judge previously dismissed the group’s judicial review, which had challenged the decision-making process behind the closure plans. But campaigners said they “remain resolute” and are now awaiting a response to their application.

“This service is a lifeline for our rural communities, and we will continue to pursue every avenue available to us,” the group said in a statement.

“We will review our position when Mr Justice Turner responds to this request.”

The proposed changes would see the Welshpool and Caernarfon bases replaced with a new site in North Wales.

Wales Air Ambulance has defended the move as necessary to improve service coverage and response times across the region.