Two ambulance trusts have emerged intact, but the future of five others remains undecided under a proposed shake-up of emergency services in the north of England.

Cumbria Ambulance Service trust and West Yorkshire Ambulance Services trust will retain their independence, an interim review of services in Northern and Yorkshire region has concluded.

Consultants Price Waterhouse were commissioned by health authorities and trusts to review ambulance service provision.

The original list of 18 options has now been reduced to four - all of which exclude any mergers involving Cumbria and West Yorkshire.

Cumbria chief executive Alan Donkersley said: 'We are extremely pleased at the direction of the review, not only for Cumbria but for other ambulance services.'