A SURGE of 999 calls is expected as warm weather visits East Lancashire over the summer weeks.

During the last hot-weather spell over the May Bank Holiday weekend, the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) received 10,998 emergency calls.

The majority of the 999 calls NWAS receives are for genuinely ill people and during periods of hot weather, there is a marked increase in the number of people experiencing respiratory problems such as asthma.

But many incidents can be easily avoided, and health bosses are urging people to think carefully about drinking carefully, and not to swim in open water where there are unseen currents, dips, equipment ans equipment.

Residents of East Lancashire are also being reminded to wear appropriate sun protection, not to use accelerants to light a barbecue, to make sure that children and animals are not left unattended in hot cars.

Derek Cartwright, director of emergency services, said: “During warm periods we do see a rise in cases such as assaults and falls.

“We just urge you to think carefully about what you are doing.”