HAMPSHIRE'S ambulance service will be axed and replaced with a regional trust in July.

The government announced the controversial decision - part of a nationwide reduction of ambulance trusts - on Tuesday. From July 1 Hampshire's ambulance service will be part of a new South Central Ambulance Trust - joining forces with neighbouring services in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire.

But Romsey's MP Sandra Gidley questioned the need for the changes which will result in 12 regional-style ambulance trusts covering England. Currently there are 29 trusts. "I see no need for this reorganisation, particularly as Hampshire Ambulance Trust has greatly improved its response times over the past few years. Unfortunately time and attention will be diverted to reorganising and I will be seeking reassurances that patient safety will not suffer and the same, if not more, resources are available in our own area," said Mrs Gidley.

Hampshire's ambulance boss Claire Severgnini hinted when the shake-up was announced last year that she was unlikely to apply for the top job at the new regional trust.

No job losses are expected with the changes but unions are far from happy about Hampshire Ambulance's merger with its neighbours.

One union spokesman said: "We feel we have lost our identity and have proved we are capable of standing alone."

Response centres across Hampshire are expected to remain in place.

Defending the government's decision to overhaul ambulance services Health minister Lord Warner said creating fewer and larger trust areas would result in less bureaucracy and more cash to invest in frontline services .

"Overall we received positive responses to the proposed changes and where there have been local concerns voiced, we have provided assurances that the new ambulance trusts will be required to meet the needs of local people within their boundaries," he said.

Wiltshire Ambulance Trust has already disappeared and is now part of the Great Western Ambulance Service.