The HMS Gannet crews flew 32 rescue missions in Scotland and northern England in January. Photo: MoD/Crown copyright

Crews at the Royal Navy’s search and rescue helicopter base in Scotland had their busiest January on record.

Flight 177 at HMS Gannet near Prestwick in Ayrshire was called out 32 times last month, almost double the number of sorties the previous year.

The Sea Kings from the base accounted for a quarter of 127 military callouts by helicopters across the UK’s eight bases in January.

HMS Gannet’s commanding officer Lieutenant Commander Charlie Fuller said: “These figures are a true testament to the professionalism and determination not only of the aircrew who attend each rescue, but also the maintenance and support staff which keeps our helicopters ready to fly at a moment’s notice.”

The next busiest was the RAF’s search and rescue crew based at RMB Chivenor in Devon, which had 21 rescue flights.

Along with all military search and rescue helicopters, which perform numerous missions in support of volunteer mountain rescue teams, the HMS Gannet aircraft are due to be replaced by a civilian-staffed service run by the Coastguard using two Agusta Westland AW189 helicopters based at Prestwick Airport.