AN AMBULANCE trust has joined a lesbian, gay and bisexual equality programme.

The South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Trust will be working with charity Stonewall to ensure equality in the workplace.

The trust will join 400 other organisations which have been accepted onto the charity's Diversity Champions Programme.

The programme helps to give organisations advice on equality in the workplace.

Stonewall associate co-ordinator David Small said: "We are delighted the trust has joined our Diversity Champions Programme.

"By joining, it has proven it is an organisation which recognises people perform better at work when they can be themselves."

The trust was formed in July 2006, following the merger of Kent, Surrey and Sussex ambulance services.

It is one of 12 ambulance services which operate in England.