Bosses at the South Western Ambulance Service Trust (SWAST) are defending their decision to consider merging with the Great Western Ambulance Service Trust (GWAST).

By October 2012, there could be just one ambulance trust covering the whole of the south west but bosses say the region is currently the only geographic area with two ambulance services covering it.

They say it would provide better value for tax payers and a better service for patients. 

Unions are concerned that merging the two trusts together could mean job losses, as they would have to make efficiencies.

Chief executive of the SWAST, Ken Wenman, says clinical frontline services would be protecteed so it wouldn't mean a reduction in the number of paramedics or ambulances.