AMBULANCE bosses are warning that silly calls for 999 services could cost someone their life.

In the past, ambulances have been called for "emergencies" such as hiccups, toothache and broken toe nails, while revellers have dialled 999 for an ambulance because they did not have the money home for a taxi.

Now Greater Manchester Ambulance Service (GMAS) has joined forces with seven other services across the North of England to stop inappropriate use of emergency ambulances.

Every year up to 25 per cent of 999 calls to the ambulance service do not require an emergency response.

Derek Cartwright, GMAS director of operations, said: "While we're dealing with calls of this nature, we're not available to get to the life-threatening emergencies, putting the lives of other people at risk."

Some 15,000 posters are being distributed across the region highlighting the campaign.

Dave Ward, GMAS North Divisional Manager, said: "I hope the posters really make people sit up and think about why we have emergency ambulances. As trained paramedics, when we respond to a call we're expecting to find a patient that requires our life-saving skills."