Ambulance chiefs say a third of 999 calls are unnecessary

Figures released by Oxfordshire's Ambulance Service (OAS) show that almost a third of emergency calls are unnecessary.

A spokesman for the service is asking the public to use common sense during the festive period.

He says the unnecessary calls are also putting the lives of staff at risk.

Damian Jolly, the OAS Director of Operations, said: "Up to 30% of 999 calls to the service do not need an emergency response.

"That means our staff may unnecessarily risk life and limb travelling at high speed, under blue lights."

He said they are responding to almost 7,000 non-emergency incidents a year ranging from toothache to crying babies and injured pets.