EMERGENCY 999 calls are being answered in less than five seconds, half the time set out in official guidelines, police in Lancashire said.

Figures from Lancashire Constabulary show that on average the force answers 999 calls in 4.17 seconds.

Last year just under 244,000 emergency calls were taken from the public, ranging from reports of deaths and serious road traffic collisions, to assaults and robberies.

Official targets state emergency calls must be answered within 10 seconds.