Operators managed to identify 178 fake callers over a three-month period from April this year.

Figures released by the fire service reveal there was a total of 291 hoax calls over the period.

Brigade bosses said immediately identifying hoaxers helped ensure fire engines were not delayed in attending real emergencies in the county.

Prosecute offenders

Karen Sleigh, head of performance management said: "Our control operators challenge callers who they believe to be making a hoax call and have identified that 178 of these calls were a hoax.

"This frees up our firefighters to attend genuine incidents.

"The service is very aware that if a crew is out attending a hoax call, they may be delayed in attending a genuine fire, which could cost lives and welcomes information from members of the public to help prosecute offenders."

The figures also revealed there were 139 calls to house fires - 11% down on the same period in 2004.