The head of the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire police helicopter unit is hosting an on-line discussion about the work the crews carry out.

The special virtual surgery will give people the chance to ask questions and gain a better understanding of the North Midlands Helicopter Support Unit.

By logging onto the surgery section of the police website www.derbyshire.police.uk, people can speak to Executive Officer John Jameson between 7pm and 8pm on Tuesday, April 5.

Derbyshire police have hosted several virtual surgeries recently, including one for secondary school children and one on domestic violence, but this is the first time the helicopter unit will feature.

Between January 1 and December 1 2010, the crews helped to find 240 crime suspects in Derbyshire, they searched for 153 missing people and airlifted six casualties to hospital.

The aircraft, which is shared between the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire forces, is based at police headquarters in Ripley.