Plaid Cymru’s Jonathan Edwards used his final moments as MP for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr before the dissolution of the government to call for a rethink over plans to scrap the Dyfed-Powys Police helicopter.

Mr Edwards requested the intervention of Home Secretary Theresa May to look at the decision of the National Police Air Support (NPAS) to remove the helicopter from Dyfed-Powys.

Prime Minister David Cameron met the Queen at lunchtime to begin the process of officially dissolving Parliament ahead of the general election and Mr Edwards said his final act as MP signalled his strength of opposition to the NPAS decision, which will see the helicopter leave its Pembrey base on December 31.

The move followed reports over the weekend that Mrs May has ordered a review of the NPAS decision to remove a police helicopter from Teeside and relocate it in Newcastle.

Mr Edwards has led the campaign to protect the Dyfed-Powys helicopter.

The decision to review helicopter relocation in the north of England, should lead to a similar review in Dyfed-Powys, Mr Edwards said.

Speaking just before the dissolution of Parliament, he said: “Over the weekend I read that the Home Secretary has ordered a review into the relocation of a police helicopter in the north of England.

“In my mind there should the same level of review in the case of Dyfed-Powys too, not least because our helicopter covers two-thirds of our country.

“I have previously asked the Secretary of State for Wales to discuss this matter with the Home Secretary but it is clear he has not done so.

“Now, just hours before Parliament dissolves, my last act has been to seek the urgent intervention of the Home Secretary so that the decision to scrap the Dyfed-Powys helicopter is looked at properly. This is signifies how strongly I believe in protecting this service.

“The police helicopter is a vitally important local asset and I will pursue all avenues possible to ensure it is saved.”