EMERGENCY services have been angered by a hoax call that forced the diversion of a helicopter carrying a patient with a heart problem.

A rescue helicopter from RAF Leconfield was on its way to a hospital in Hull, from the Rough gas field in the North Sea, when it was called to help a woman said to be in distress in the sea at the Groyne, in South Shields.

But half an hour after the 999 call was made, at 11.30pm on Monday, it was established the woman was in fact safe at home.

Humber Coastguard duty watch officer Phil Barker said the call was made by a resident who had been told by a young man that his girlfriend was in trouble in the sea.

Mr Barker said: "The helicopter was on its way to Hull when it was diverted.

"When it was established it was a hoax call the patient had to be taken to Scarborough General Hospital instead.

"Hoax calls are a waste of everybody's time and can create a danger for those called out."

Northumbria Police Inspector Paul Orchard said: "Hoax calls waste a lot of resources - not just ours but other agencies, including the coastguard and ambulances.

"Fortunately in this instance we were able to trace the people involved quite quickly, but not before the helicopter had been diverted."

Insp Orchard said a man had been interviewed about the call.