NEW ambulances to replace vehicles which were branded unsafe by paramedics could be on the streets by the end of this month.

The North-East Ambulance Service (NEAS) has confirmed that it expects to take a delivery of the vehicles, based on a Mercedes chassis, later this month.

They are replacing the remaining Chevrolet vehicles, which are being taken out of front-line service.

The Chevrolets, bought from the US ten years ago, make up half the service's 110-strong fleet.

Paramedics have criticised the vehicles following incidents in which wheels have fallen off at high speeds and problems reported with steering and braking.

At least 20 ambulances will arrive by April.

A further 39 will be phased in, with all Chevrolets expected to be replaced by June 2004.

Ambulance spokeswoman Tina Balbach said: "We are now due to take a new delivery in January.

"The new specification vehicles will need to be fitted with signs, but will be on the road pretty quickly after that.

"All the Chevrolets are still in the system but are being taken off front-line duties following a commitment we made to staff."

NEAS had always intended to phase the Chevrolets out but, under pressure from staff, it is doing so three years earlier than planned.

Finance chiefs were forced to make an appeal for more funding to pay for the replacements when the defects came to light.

Patients will be transported in the middle of the new models rather than at the side, which paramedics say will give them better access.

Ray McDermott, Unison branch secretary for NEAS, said: "Anything that enhances the comfort and safety of both patients and staff has to be welcomed."

NEAS covers County Durham, Tyne and Wear and Northumberland.

It recently recorded one of its busiest periods for emergency calls, blamed largely on alcohol-related incidents.

More than 1,300 calls were made to the service from noon on New Year's Eve to noon on New Year's Day.